To vaccinate or not: hepatitis a seroprevalence in institutionalized patients with intellectual disability.

Abstract

Aim: Our goal was to assess the need for vaccination and preventive measures in this vulnerable population.

Background: HAV is the most common form of acute viral hepatitis, transmitted primarily via fecal-oral route. Therefore, poor hygiene and close contact among institutionalized people are associated with higher HAV infection prevalence. We sought to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies among institutionalized individuals with intellectual impairments in light of Iran's falling trend in HAV antibody prevalence.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of total and IgM anti-HAV antibodies of 254 institutionalized people with intellectual disabilities. Total and IgM anti-HAV antibodies of the blood samples of these people were determined by ELISA method.

Results: The seroprevalence of total and IgM anti-HAV antibodies among institutionalized people with intellectual disability were 15.4% and 0.4% respectively. In comparison to other institutionalized patients, individuals who were elderly and had spent more time in the institutions exhibited a higher prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies (p-values= 0.011 and <0.001, for example).

Conclusion: Based on our study, intellectually disabled people have a low prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies, which increases with age and the duration of institutionalization. Therefore, vaccination is necessary to prevent serious infection in these people.