Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A and hepatitis E in urban and rural India (1982-98)
Arankalle, V.A.; Chadha, M.S.; Chitambar, S.D.; Walimbe, A.M.; Chobe, L.P.; Gandhe, S.S.
Journal of Viral Hepatitis 8(4): 293-303
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1352-0504 PMID: 11454182 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2001.00279.xDocument Number: 246227
The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) was assessed among age-stratified urban high socioeconomic, lower middle socioeconomic status and rural populations from western India in 1998. When compared with previous surveys, a clear shift from high to intermediate endemicity of HAV was evident only for higher socioeconomic population (1982-98), raising the possibility of outbreaks of hepatitis A in this category. A decrease in anti-HAV positivity was noted in rural children aged 6-10 years. Lower circulation of HEV was noted among < 25-year-old urban higher socioeconomic and rural individuals. For both viruses, the lower middle socioeconomic populations were comparable in 1982 and 1998. Socioeconomic status and family size (odds ratio = 23 and 1.6, respectively) were independently associated with anti-HAV positivity. Age, lower middle socioeconomic status and well water were significant independent variables for HEV infection (odds ratio = 5.7, 2.4 and 1.9, respectively). Hence, vaccination policy for hepatitis A needs to be reviewed.