Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is an important public health problem throughout the world, particularly in children and is endemic in areas with substandard hygiene and sanitation.
The aim of the study: is to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection among school-age children and the associated risk factors in Sohag Governorate. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, a sample of 1264 children aged 4-18 years, non randomly selected from the pediatric and gastroenterology outpatient clinics, Sohag University hospital. Informed consent was obtained from their guardians. Three tools were used for data collection: Tool I: preconstructed questionnaire sheet containing: 1- Sociodemograhic data of the participant children and their parents, 2- Clinical history and clinical examination, 3- History of sanitary conditions as water supply, refuse and sanitary disposal and history of personal hygienic habits. Tool II: determination of the socio-economic class according to Fahmy and Sherbini scale. Tool III: Blood samples collection for detection of HAV antibodies based on ELISA techniques (Dia Sorin, Italy). Children with chronic hepatic or systemic diseases and those previous vaccination for HAV were excluded.
Results: 57.3% of study children were seropositive for HAV antibodies. There was a statistically significant relation between HAV seropositivity and low socioeconomic status, rural residency, age group 12-18 years, outside house water supply, non-hygienic refuse disposal and non-hygienic sewage disposal (p<0.05).
Conclusions: the overall seroprevalence of anti-HAV Ab in our sample was 57.3%. Anti-HAV Ab prevalence was significantly higher with older age, rural residence, lower socio-economic class and unhygienic personal habits and poor sanitary disposal.
Recommendations: Education program for the population about mode of transmission of HAV infection and governmental efforts towards sanitary water supply, hygienic refuse and sewage disposal specially in rural areas. Vaccination against HAV in Egypt should be kept in mind for children aged 12–18 years but after testing for HAV Ab.