Epidemiological Features of Hepatitis A among Children in Hodeidah, Yemen

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis, with approximately 1.5 million cases reported globally each year.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence rate of HAV infection, socio-economic indicators and risk factors in children of primary schools, Hodeidah, Yemen.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (from January to December 2019) among children at the three public primary schools (Al-Nour, Asma’a Bint Abi Baker and Legislator's) in Al Hawak district, Hodeidah city, Yemen. 422 blood samples were collected from children (7 – 10 years old). HAV was detected by enzyme linkage immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on serum specimens of children. The study was carried out in Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CTMID) of AL-Thawra Public Hospital Authority, Hodeidah, Yemen. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analyses.

Results: The results showed that HAV infection was detected in 22/422 cases (5.21%). HAV infection was represented in the males as 14/22 cases (63.63 %) while in the females it was represented as 8/22 cases (36.36 %). However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.414). The higher frequency of HAV infection was in children between 7 and 8 years (20/22 cases; 90.90 %) and the lower frequency was in infants between 9 and 10 years (2/22 cases; 9.09 %), with a significant association (p -value = 0.022). On the other hand, major risk factors were recorded that seem to have effect in the transmission of HAV infection. 21/22 cases (95.5%), 1/22 cases (4.5%) of children in primary schools had sewages disposal at home namely general disposal and special disposal respectively. The Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) for prevention of HAV infection in children were assessed, child who close contact with person with HAV infection (17/22 cases; 77.3%), child who do not practice personal hygiene (hand washing) after outside from bathroom (16/22 cases; 72.7%), child who have not special towels (15/22 cases; 68.2%) and child who shares clothes with others (14/22 cases; 63.6%).

Conclusion: This study concluded low HVA infection among children of primary schools in Al- Hawak district, Hodeidah, Yemen. The most risk factors of infection with HAV were close contact, poor sanitary conditions, house structure and crowding in house.