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Original Research Vol. 1, Issue 1 (2014)

Shifting Seropositivity for Hepatitis A in Children in Istanbul, Turkey, From 1996 to 2011 and Evaluation of Hepatitis A Associated Risk Factors

Abdulkadir Bozaykut, Rabia Gonul Sezer*, Vildan Akcan, Cem Paketci and Lale Pulat Seren
Corresponding Author: Rabia Gonul Sezer
Received: Sep 12, 2014
Accepted: Oct 10, 2014
Published: Oct 24, 2014
Views: 9
DOI: 10.14437

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, and the epidemiology of HAV is associated with hygiene and socioeconomic status. In this study, we investigated the seropositivity for HAV and the associated socioeconomic factors in children. In addition, we compared the results with previously reported seropositivity data from the same center in Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey, from 1996. A number of 400 children aged between 2-18 years, from the outpatient clinics, were tested for anti-HAV IgG antibodies and a questionnaire was administered that addressed gender, age, number of household members, monthly family income, history of jaundice and immunization, number of rooms in the house, education level of the parents, day-care/school attendance, and type of water supply. The overall seropositivity was 12.5%. The seropositivity increased with increasing age: 11.5% in children 2-<6 years old and 13.2% in children 10-18 years old. Significant associations between anti-HAV seropositivity and socioeconomic status, a history of jaundice, monthly family income were found (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.04, respectively). Also, children under 6 years old, who were attending day-care had higher seropositivity rates. Only the association between the history of jaundice and anti-HAV seropositivity remained significant in the multivariate analysis, with an adjusted Odds ratio of 13.1 (95% CI, 2.9-59.5; p=0.001). There was a significant decline in the overall seropositivity for anti-HAV  between 1996 and 2011. The frequency and severity of clinical HAV infection may increase in older age groups, and as a consequence, outbreaks can occur.  

 

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Rabia Gonul Sezer (2014), Shifting Seropositivity for Hepatitis A in Children in Istanbul, Turkey, From 1996 to 2011 and Evaluation of Hepatitis A-Associated Risk Factors. Clin Res Dev Open Access 1:105
Copyright: Copyright: © 2014 CRDOA. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, Version 3.0, which permits
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