Seroepidemiological study: determination of a viral hepatitis A marker in adults

• Gleb B. Shekhurin
• Ol'ga V. Samodova
• Leonid L. Shagrov
• Yulia M. Zvezdina
• Ekaterina A. Krieger

Abstract

Conducting seroepidemiological studies is necessary to assess the current epidemic situation and the plan of preventive measures.

The aim of the study is to determine the factors influencing the presence of a seropositive status to hepatitis A virus in the adult population of Arkhangelsk.

Material and methods. A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted in a randomly selected sample (n=401) of the adult population aged 42 to 76 years in Arkhangelsk. The level of IgG to hepatitis A virus in blood serum was quantitatively determined using the “Vectohep A-IgG” enzyme immunoassay kit (Russian Federation). Quantitative data are presented as the median (Me) and quartiles [Q₁; Q₃]. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to compare proportions. Factors associated with the seropositive status were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results and discussion. The proportion of adults seropositive for hepatitis A virus was 57.6%. This proportion of seropositive individuals varied depending on socio-demographic characteristics (age, level of education, employment, presence of children in the family), frequency of alcohol abuse, history of previous hepatitis, and body mass index. After adjusting for gender and age, factors associated with seropositive status included a history of previous hepatitis and the number of family members.

Conclusion. The presence of a large proportion of non-immune individuals against hepatitis A virus (42.4%) among the adult population confirms the necessity of changing approaches to vaccination against this infection.

Keywords: hepatitis A virus; seroepidemiological study; factors associated with seropositive status

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