Epidemiological features of virus hepatitis in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

This study included all cases of Hepatitis A [n=202] and Hepatitis B [n=77] notified during the year 1987 to the Centre for prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Cases of Hepatitis A were more likely to be female patients aged one to less than 20 years, residing in Dammam and Khafgi with higher prevalence during summer. The source of infection was local in 91.58% of cases with almost no spread of the disease to others in 99.01% and about half of cases were isolated and treated at home. On the other hand, cases of Hepatitis B were more encountered among adult males aged 20 to less than 40 years and residing in Khobar. The source of infection was exotic in 14.29% of cases. With spread of the disease in 72.73% and almost three quarter of cases were isolated in Hospitals