Özet:

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is self-limited, acute viral hepatitis. It is responsible for 0.5% of viral hepatitis-related deaths worldwide. It is endemic in our country, seroprevalence is decreasing. Seroprevalence studies are conducted with specific groups, the general population cannot be reflected. In this study, we aimed to determine hepatitis A seroprevalence and shed light on the need for hepatitis A vaccination. Materials and Methods: Patients who applied to primary health care institutions between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2022 and for whom anti-HAV IgG and anti-HAV IgM tests were requested, were included. Public Health Laboratory information management system data were evaluated retrospectively. Repeated results were excluded from the study. Results: The number of patients with anti-HAV IgM and anti-HAV IgG levels were 128 387 and 89532, respectively. The number of anti-HAV IgM and anti-HAV IgG positive patients were 233 (‰1.81) and 79015 (88.25%), respectively. Of the 233 anti-HAV IgM positive patients, 41 (17.6%) were male and 192 (82.4%) were female. The most common age range was 25-44 years. A significant increase was noticed especially in June 2021 and May, June, September and October 2022. Conclusions: HAV infection in our country is decreasing. The prevalence of acute hepatitis A is 1.81 ‰, which is above the national prevalence data. In our study, adolescents and young adults are at risk of HAV infection, especially seronegative adults should be vaccinated. It is recommended that these age groups should be included in the routine vaccination program.

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