Evaluation of Hepatitis A Seroprevalance and Epidemiologic Data of Patients Applying to A Medical Faculty Hospital

Objectives: Our study aims to determine seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in our region and to determine the prevalence change over years and to evaluate the effects of various factors on prevalence. Materials and Methods: In our study, HAV diagnostic tests, which were studied by the ELISA method in the microbiology laboratory of our hospital for 10 years, were evaluated retrospectively from the laboratory information system. In the diagnosis of acute hepatitis, and anti-HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody was investigated in the blood, and anti-HAV IgG antibody was investigated for immunity to hepatitis A. Results: Seropositivity of anti-HAV IgG was found to be 75.3%, In comparison, while anti-HAV IgM positivity was found to be 2.7%. While anti-HAV IgG and anti-HAV IgM positivity were found to be higher in individuals living outside the city center compared to individuals living in the city center, no significant difference was found between the genders. Conclusion: Virus transmission has decreased in our region in recent years, and the encounter with the disease has shifted to advanced ages. This change increases the number of individuals susceptible to symptomatic infection. Therefore, hygiene and sanitation conditions should be monitored carefully, infrastructure should work adequately, and vaccination policies should be implemented when necessary.