HEPATITIS-A AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN IN A US-MEXICO BORDER COMMUNITY

Objectives. A cross-sectional study investigated the association of he patitis A seropositivity with environmental and personal risk factors among children in a United States-Mexico border community. Methods. He patitis A serological cal markers and a questionnaire identifying risk factors were evaluated for 523 primary school children. Results. Of t he children studied, 16.9% tested positive for total anti-hepatitis A virus. Risk factors included being in the first grade, low maternal ed ucational attainment, living in Mexico for more than 6 months, househo ld crowding, and inadequate excreta disposal systems. Conclusions. To decrease enteric disease, improvements in excreta disposal infrastruct ures and educational programs are needed; Hepatitis A vaccine should b e administered before school age.