Abstract:
Introduction Hepatitis A is a benign illness in children
with the rare possibility of fatal complications. Although
an endemic disease, very few studies have been done
in children regarding the seroprevalence of hepatitis A
antibodies in Sri Lanka.
Objectives (i) To document the seropositivity for hepatitis
A in a group of children admitted to a paediatric ward.
(ii) To determine the relationship of hepatitis A viral
infection to social factors in these children.
Method A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study
was carried out in a ward at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital
for 7 months from September 2001. Children admitted
on predetermined days, needing venepuncture for their
presenting illness, were studied while those who were
seriously ill were excluded. Written consent was obtained
and a questionnaire with details of socio-economic
conditions, personal hygiene practices of the mother,
access to water and sanitation and health related
behaviour was administered. Total antibodies to hepatitis
A were detected by ELISA on a sample of blood taken
from each patient.
Results Two hundred and eighty eight samples of blood
were analysed. None of the children were immunised
against hepatitis A. There were 158 boys (54.9%). Thirty
one (10.8%) of the 288 patients had antibodies against
hepatitis A. The seroprevalence was 11.6% in children
under 10 years of age.
Majority (78%) were from families with a monthly
income of less than Rs 10,000/-. Fifteen (48.4%) of the
31 seropositive children were from families earning less
than Rs 5000/- per month. Belonging to social classes IV
and V and having mothers with only primary education
were factors significantly associated with seropositivity.
No significant difference in the presence of antibodies
was observed regarding the personal hygiene practices
analysed and access to basic amenities.
Health related behaviour practices analysed were
significantly associated with the presence of hepatitis A
antibodies.
Conclusions Seroprevalence of 10.8% was observed in
a selected group of children. Factors such as poor socioeconomic background and having mothers with only
primary education were associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies as were certain health related behaviour
practices of children.