Seroepidemiologic study of HAV infection and its associated factors in Sanandaj

Background and Aim: Various studies have shown a correlation between the prevalence of hepatitis A and community health level. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus and its related factors in the patients referring to medical diagnostic laboratories in Sanandaj. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) study we selected 200 individuals referring to medical diagnostic laboratories in Sanandaj from January 2016 to May 2017 - and their serum HAV Ab levels were measured by ELISA method. Demographic data and risk factors for hepatitis A infection were recorded in a questionnaire for every participant. We divided the participants into seropositive and seronegative groups. The groups were compared with each other in regard to demographic characteristics and risk factors for hepatitis A infection. Results: 151 (75.5%) subjects were seropositive including 101 (67%) women and 50 (33%) men. Among different age groups, the highest rate of seropositivity was observed  in 43 patients (28.5%), between 30 and 40 years of age and the lowest rate belonged to 4 (6.2%), individuals between 11 and 20 years of age, which showed a significant difference between different age groups (P = 0.000). The percentage of seropositive patients was significantly higher in the age group of less than one year compared to those in the age groups of 1 to 10 years (P = 0.001) and 11 to 20 years (P = 0.005). There was no significant relationship between the groups in regard to gender, place of residence, education level and occupation (P> 0.05). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of underlying diseases resulted in a 3 fold increased risk of hepatitis A (OR: 2.71; Cl 95%: 1.13 - 6.48). Comparison of the other risk factors showed no significant relationship between the two groups. Conclusion: Considering the association of this antibody with increasing age, determination of the serum level of this antibody in different parts of the country by public health organizations at different time intervals and in different age groups seems necessary. Also, considering the correlation between underlying diseases in susceptible individuals and antibody- positivity and also the importance of vaccination, close attention of these organizations to this issue is necessary.