HAV Immunity in Iranian Medical Students

BACKGROUND Hepatitis A, a fecal-oral transmitted disease, which has been considered endemic in developing countries, seems to change its pattern in developing countries because of their improved socioeconomic status. OBJECTIVES In the present study, we aimed to determine the need of vaccination in 270 students at AJA University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS The serum level of anti-HAV antibody was checked in 270 students of AJA University of medical students, and effect of different factors, including age, gender, pre-university entrance exam region, familial education, familial income, clean water availability, and previous history of jaundice were tested. RESULTS Of total 270 students, 30 were female. Their age ranged between 18 and 30 years old with the mean age of 20.58 years and just 34% of students had positive level of anti-HAV antibody. Age and sex had no role in positive serum level of anti-HAV antibody. According to analyzed data, lack of clean water availability, pre-university entrance exam region, lower family education, and poor health status estimation increased statistically the risk of HAV infection. CONCLUSIONS Because 66% of students were anti-HAV antibody negative and they will work as health care workers in future, our study suggest vaccinating all students accepted at AJA University of Medical Sciences.