Hepatitis A in Saudi Arabia: a comparative sero-epidemiological study

ABSTRACT

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. 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. 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. 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 preventive strategy needing to be adopted