We determined seroprevalance of anti-HAV IgG in a
cross-sectional study carried out between November 2006 to April 2008.
Children 6 months to 5 years age attending our hospital and children
between age 5 years to 15 years from an urban and rural/slum school of
Bijapur, were included.
Detailed socioenviromental history and immunization
history were taken. Children with history of jaundice, hepatobiliary
disease and those who are already immunized against hepatitis A were
excluded from the study. 2 mL of blood in plain vial was collected; ELISA
test was done for anti HAV IgG (Wantai Biopharma antibody kit). Data was
analyzed using Correlation coefficient and Z test.
The age distribution shows a significant transition of
positivity for anti HAV IgG in the age group 3 to 4 years. As age
increases seropositivity for anti HAV IgG also increases at the rate of
correlation coefficient 0.684.
Relation between socioenviromental factors and HAV IgG
seropositivity is shown in Table I. Urban/rural/slum
background, family size, source of water supply, hand washing habit and
socioeconomic strata had a significant association (P <0.05) with
presence of anti HAV IgG.
TABLE I
Seropositivity in Relation to Socioenviromental Factors
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