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The changing epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A in Lisbon, Portugal
R T Marinho1, A R Valente, F J Ramalho
1Liver Unit, Hospital Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) in an urban population, in order to assess the changing epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A.
Subjects:
We studied 325 health care workers from Santa Maria Hospital and 201 students of the Medical School of Lisbon.
Results:
The prevalence of anti-HAV was lower in the younger age groups: 29% in the first 3 years of Faculty compared to 46% in the last 3 years, P < 0.001. The overall prevalence for students was 35%, whereas in health care workers of less than 30 years it was 65%, P < 0.001. These findings show a declining prevalence of anti-HAV, particularly in younger age groups, when compared with the results obtained in 1983, which showed a prevalence of 85%.
Conclusion:
The epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A in Lisbon, Portugal, is changing in some urban groups, with prevalences approaching those of more developed countries.