Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A among Medical Students of a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala, Southern India

Introduction: Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis caused by a Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus. The mode of transmission is fecal-oral route and the risk factors include unsafe water, poor personal hygiene and sanitation. Even though seroprevalence rate is high in low socio-economic regions, it is low in urban areas and the need of vaccination is looked for. Aim: To estimate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A in medical students in Southern India. Materials and Methods: The present study was a crosssectional study conducted in the Medical students of Government Medical College, Manjeri, Kerala, India. Blood samples of 377 students during the year 2015-2018 were taken. These students were in their 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year MBBS course who admitted in the years 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Commercially available ELISA kits for anti HAV IgG antibodies were used. Chisquare test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 377 students, 51 (13.5%) were positive for IgG antibodies. 43 were in 21-22 age group with a p value > 0.05. An association of seropositivity and seronegativity with frequency of dining out pattern was there with a p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of Hepatitis A was found in a declining stage hence, vaccination against hepatitis A should be included in the national immunisation schedule.