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A collaborative case control study of sporadic hepatitis A in England
H C Maguire1, S Handford, K R Perry
1PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre.
Communicable Disease Report. CDR Review
|March 3, 1995
Summary
Travel abroad, household contacts, and young children increase hepatitis A risk. Prophylactic measures like vaccines and immunoglobulin are recommended for high-risk individuals and contacts.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Sporadic hepatitis A infections pose a public health concern.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine risk factors for sporadic hepatitis A infection.
- To identify groups benefiting from prophylactic measures.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study conducted in 201 districts in England.
- Data collected from July 1990 to June 1991.
- Analysis of risk factors including travel, household contacts, and occupation.
Main Results:
- Significant risk factors included international travel (OR 19.8), household contact (OR 13.5), and living with a child aged 3-10 (OR 1.57).
- No clear occupational risks identified for healthcare workers or teachers.
- A non-significant trend of increased risk was observed in young nursery nurses and childminders.
Conclusions:
- International travel and household transmission are key risk factors for hepatitis A.
- Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for frequent travelers to endemic areas.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis with immunoglobulin is advised for close contacts.