Hepatitis A in Saudi Arabia: A comparative sero-epidemiological study
Al-Faleh, F.Z.; Al-Jeffri, M.H.; Ramia, S.T.; Al-Rashed, R.S.; Arif, M.A.; Mohammed, O.M.; Bakhsh, M.H.; Al-Freihi, H.M.; Aljumah, A.A.; Rezeig, M.A.; Traif, I.H.; Al-Swailem, A.M.; Mishkkhas, A.A.; Yasin, T.; Mirdad, S.E.; Ayoola, A.E.
Saudi Medical Journal 20(9): 678-681
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5284 PMID: 27645587 Document Number: 507951
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus infection among Saudi children (1-12 years) in 1997. To compare the results with our previous study in 1989. Methods: This is a randomized community-based study involving all of the regions of Saudi Arabia. All children were tested for antibody Hepatitis A Virus immunoglobulin (IgG) class. Results: The prevalence of anti-Hepatitis A Virus IgG among 5355 Saudi children tested ranged from 10% in Taif to 82% in Gizan regions with an overall prevalence of 25%. There is a reduction of the overall prevalence from 50.5% in 1989 to 25% in 1997. Conclusion: This study shows a marked decline in Hepatitis A Virus infection in Saudi children 8 years after the first study. There is an almost 50% reduction of the overall Hepatitis A Virus prevalence. This dramatic decline in Hepatitis A Virus infection among the Saudi children will lead to a later exposure of elderly population groups to the Hepatitis A Virus infection and a new preventivestrategy needing to be adopted.