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. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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.