Incidence of hepatitis ‘A’ infection post vaccination program

Abstract EN

Objective : The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of Hepatitis ‘A’ Virus (HAV) infection after the introduction of vaccination program in 2008.

Setting : Health care settings in Jeddah region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Design : An ecologic record-based study.

Method : Data on HAV infections were documented from the health registries of the surveillance unit in Jeddah region.

Result : Four hundred sixty-nine HAV infection were documented from 2007 to 2009, the incidence rate revealed a decreasing trend from 4.57 per 100,000 in 2007 to 3.27 per 100,000 in 2009 (p = 0.016).

The decreasing trend was demonstrated among Saudis only (p = 0.007).

The majority of the cases were in the age groups of 5-14 and 15-44 years.

No significant difference could be noticed between males and females.

Conclusion : A decreasing trend of HAV infections occurred in Jeddah from 2007 to 2009 among Saudis, which could be partially attributed to the HAV vaccination in 2008.

Long-term follow-up is recommended to evaluate the result of vaccination