True incidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) is often underestimated because of underreporting resulting from its widely asymptomatic and milder forms of infection. Thus, the epidemiologic pattern of HAV is determined primarily by its seroprevalence. The aim of this cross sectional study was to measure the seroprevalence of HAV antibodies (HAV Ab) and to identify some underlying factors determining it among a sample of children in Dakahilia. Two hundred and forty children aged 2-12 years, non randomly selected from the pediatric outpatient clinic, Mit Ghamer General Hospital, were submitted to complete history taking, systemic medical examination and detection of HAV abs IgG by ELIZA. Children with chronic hepatic or systemic diseases were excluded. The study found that 82.9% of the studied children were seropositive (P |
