Evaluation of Hepatitis A Outbreak in Boroujerd during 2019: A Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: Viral hepatitis is one of the most prevalent diseases and an important underlying cause of death and disability in the world. This case-control study was conducted to investigate the outbreak of hepatitis A in Boroujerd in 2019.   Methods: This case-control study was conducted to investigate the epidemic of hepatitis A in Boroujerd in 2019. Fifty hepatitis A patients were recruited. For each patient diagnosed, two controls with no history of the disease were selected from a neighboring village. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire as well as the results of experiments. To investigate the association between the disease and risk factors, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used.    Results: In this study, the odds ratios were significant for a number of risk factors including washing fruits and vegetables with a source other than tap water [OR = 3.2], washing dishes with a source other than tap water [OR = 3.7], non-sanitary toilets [OR = 8.3], using sources other than tap water when there is no tap water [OR = 4.4], being unaware of the disease and its transmission methods [OR = 4.8] and water well dug less than 15 m from the sewage well (OR = 4.1).   Conclusion: Increased public awareness and improved health status of the environment and rural sewage can preclude similar epidemics in the study area and other regions.