Hepatitis A seropositivity among newly Admitted Medical Students of Isfahan, Kermanshah and Hamedan: A seroprevalence study

Health science students are at an increased risk of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection even under accidental infection. Th e aims of this study were to assess the seroprevalence of HAV in 1st year medical students and to determine the risk factors of HAV vaccination program among this population.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in autumn 2010. A total of 1028 newly admitted medical students in Isfahan, Kermanshah and Hamedan were included in the study. Participant data were obtained through predesigned data collection sheets. A serum sample was obtained for serologic testing for the presence of IgG anti-HAV using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and logistic regression tests were performed for statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered as signifi cant.

Th e prevalence of HAV was detected in Isfahan, Hamedan, and Kermanshah newly admitted students 67.5%, 79.2%, and 50.6% respectively. Th ere were signifi cant relations between anti-HAV (IgG) positivity in drinking water and medical students provinces (P < 0.001, RR = 0.58 and 0.65 respectively). Th e household size did not signifi cantly infl uence the anti-HAV (IgG) positivity in studied subjects (P = 0.09, RR = 1.26).

Our results indicate that more than one-third of the medical students in all three faculties were seronegative for IgG anti-HAV and hence at an increased risk of developing HAV infection as a result of occupational exposure. Th erefore, we suggest students in a health care set up should undergo vaccination against HAV after prevaccination immunity screening