RESUMO
We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies (HAV Ab) among 296 Egyptian children aged 2.5-18 years of different social classes to ascertain whether to give HAV vaccine early in life or to leave children to acquire natural immunity. Overall 61.4% were seropositive for HAV Ab. There was a significant increase in the seroprevalence of HAV Ab with higher age and lower social class; in children aged < 6 years, 72.7% of high and 19.0% of low social class were seronegative for HAV Ab. A national vaccination programme for HAV is not a priority. We recommend vaccination against hepatitis A for high social class children at the preschool period without testing for HAV. Vaccination for middle social class children can be done, but only after testing for HAV.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite A/sangue , Vírus da Hepatite A Humana/imunologia , Hepatite A/epidemiologia , Hepatite A/imunologia , Adolescente , Distribuição por Idade , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Análise Custo-Benefício , Egito/epidemiologia , Feminino , Prioridades em Saúde , Hepatite A/sangue , Hepatite A/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra Hepatite A/economia , Humanos , Imunidade Inata , Masculino , Avaliação das Necessidades , Vigilância da População , Fatores de Risco , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Distribuição por Sexo , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Vacinação/economiaRESUMO
We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies [HAV Ab] among 296 Egyptian children aged 2.5-18 years of different social classes to ascertain whether to give HAV vaccine early in life or to leave children to acquire natural immunity. Overall 61.4% were seropositive for HAV Ab. There was a significant increase in the seroprevalence of HAV Ab with higher age and lower social class; in children aged < 6 years, 72.7% of high and 19.0% of low social class were seronegative for HAV Ab. A national vaccination programme for HAV is not a priority. We recommend vaccination against hepatitis A for high social class children at the preschool period without testing for HAV. Vaccination for middle social class children can be done, but only after testing for HAV