Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection for age groups in Rize province. In addition, we aimed to determine the baseline data regarding the prevalence of HAV within the last year before including hepatitis A vaccine to the Extended National Immunization Program.

Materials and Methods:

The study was performed between 01.01.2012 – 31.12.2012 on adults aged between 17-70 years old who had admitted to infection disease and internal medicine outpatient clinics in our hospital with different complaints. Anti-HAV IgG levels of all patients were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 236 patients with hepatitis like symptoms were admitted to our outpatient clinic. Anti-HAV IgM seroprevalence values of them were evaluated retrospectively.

Results:

Six hundred and twenty-six male and 486 female (a total of 1112 patients) were included in the study. The mean age of all patients was 33.5±13.5 years. Anti-HAV IgG and Anti-HAV IgM seropositivity were 75.0% and 1.2% respectively. Anti-HAV IgG was positive in 834 patients (482 male, 352 female). The prevalence of HAV seropositivity was increasing with age.

Conclusion:

Turkey is located in a group of moderate endemicity. Since socioeconomic status and hygienic conditions have been improved in Turkey, unlike past years today developing the disease has been shifted to older ages than younger age. In this province HAV seropositivity prevalence has been found to be 29.5% in children and 75% in the adult. The disease is more complicated in advanced age than younger people. We suggest that adolescents and persons within the risk group to be evaluated for HAV infection and subjects who are susceptible to be vaccinated against HAV infection.

Keywords: Hepatitis A virus, seroprevalence, age