Frequency and distribution of positive antibodies against hepatitis A

Abstract

Background: the prevalence of anti-HAV in Medellín is unknown. In 1997, a study in socioeconomic strata 1, 2 and 3, found a prevalence of 93. 5% in children from 3 to 6 years of age.

This is a reference to complete the epidemiologic pattern of serologic frequency in socioeconomic stratum 4-5 and 6, extending the group of patients to the age of 40 years old.

Objective: to determine the serologic frequency of anti-IgG-HAV in a sample of population under 40 years, discriminate by age from economic stratum 4, 5 and 6 at Metropolitan area.

Patients and methods: this is a cross sectional study. The sample size was calculated by EPIINFO 6. 0 software, with 95% confidence level and alpha value less than 0. 05. The sampling was done by convenience. The study centers (Pre-School, Colegio Colombo-Británico and Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana) were chosen by location and for being private.

Results: 306 samples were collected, 145 (47. 4%) from males and 161 (52. 6%) from females.

The mean age was 16. 2 years (2 - 40 years). Eighty seven percent of the studied population belongs to socio-economic strata 4, 5 and 6 in Medellín. Anti-IgG-HAV by ELISA was positive in 74 (24. 2%) samples and negative in 233 (75. 8%).

Conclusions: the serologic frequency was 24. 2%, sample of people younger than 40 years, discriminated by age groups from socio-economic level strata 4, 5 and 6 in the metropolitan area. Analytic studies are necessary to that allow us to establish groups to compare and define the prevalence of anti-HAV in all socioeconomic strata at Metroplolitan area.