Me. Moschen et al., HEPATITIS-A INFECTION - A SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN YOUNG-ADULTS IN NORTHEAST ITALY, European journal of epidemiology, 13(8), 1997, pp. 875-878
During the period from January to May 1994, the prevalence of antibodi
es to hepatitis A virus infection (anti-HAV) was tested by immunoenzym
e assay in the serum samples of 620 apparently healthy subjects (81% m
ales, 19% females), from 10 to 29 years old, resident in North-East It
aly (Pordenone and surrounding district). The overall prevalence of an
ti-HAV was 3.7%. There was a significant lower prevalence in the group
aged 10-19 than in the one aged 20-29 years (0.7% vs 6%; p < 0.001).
Moreover, a significant sex difference was observed for the 20-29 year
age group (p < 0.001). Among the various risk factors considered, fam
ily size and travelling abroad to endemic areas were significantly ass
ociated with HAV infection. Since a valid and effective vaccine agains
t HAV infection has recently become available, anti-HAV vccination cam
paigns can feasibly be programmed. However, different geographical reg
ions present different epidemiological situations, so its use should b
e adapted to each region, with special attention to the cost-effective
ness of the immunisation programme. Our data suggest that in our regio
n such vaccination could initially be proposed to high-risk subjects s
uch as those travelling to endemic areas.