HAV Immunity in Iranian Medical Students

Abstract

Background:Hepatitis A, a fecal-oral transmitted disease, which has been considered endemic in developing countries, seems to change its pattern in developing countries because of their improved socioeconomic status.Objectives:In the present study, we aimed to determine the need of vaccination in 270 students at AJA University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods:The serum level of anti-HAV antibody was checked in 270 students of AJA University of medical students, and effect of different factors, including age, gender, pre-university entrance exam region, familial education, familial income, clean water availability, and previous history of jaundice were tested.Results:Of total 270 students, 30 were female. Their age ranged between 18 and 30 years old with the mean age of 20.58 years and just 34% of students had positive level of anti-HAV antibody. Age and sex had no role in positive serum level of anti-HAV antibody. According to analyzed data, lack of clean water availability, pre-university entrance exam region, lower family education, and poor health status estimation increased statistically the risk of HAV infection.Conclusions:Because 66% of students were anti-HAV antibody negative and they will work as health care workers in future, our study suggest vaccinating all students accepted at AJA University of Medical Sciences.