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Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A and hepatitis E in urban and rural India (1982–98)
Author(s) -
Vidya A. Arankalle,
Chadha Ms,
Chitambar Sd,
Walimbe Am,
Chobe Lp,
Gandhe Ss
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2001.00279.x
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , hepatitis a , epidemiology , demography , odds ratio , medicine , environmental health , population , hepatitis , immunology , sociology
The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) was assessed among age‐stratified urban high socioeconomic, lower middle socioeconomic status and rural populations from western India in 1998. When compared with previous surveys, a clear shift from high to intermediate endemicity of HAV was evident only for higher socioeconomic population (1982–98), raising the possibility of outbreaks of hepatitis A in this category. A decrease in anti‐HAV positivity was noted in rural children aged 6–10 years. Lower circulation of HEV was noted among < 25‐year‐old urban higher socioeconomic and rural individuals. For both viruses, the lower middle socioeconomic populations were comparable in 1982 and 1998. Socioeconomic status and family size (odds ratio=23 and 1.6, respectively) were independently associated with anti‐HAV positivity. Age, lower middle socioeconomic status and well water were significant independent variables for HEV infection (odds ratio=5.7, 2.4 and 1.9, respectively). Hence, vaccination policy for hepatitis A needs to be reviewed.