• Çigdem Kader, Ayse Yesim Göçmen, Münire Islak Demir, Nuriye Yalçin Çolak, Sebnem Eren Gök, Fatma Inci Arkan, Mehmet Yldrm Sara, and Ayse Erbay.
• Associate Professor Çigdem Kader, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology,, Bozok Universitesi,, Yozgat 66200, Turkey, T: +903542127060, dr_cigdemtr@ yahoo.com, ORCID: http://orcid. org/0000-0003-3325-4587.
• Ann Saudi Med. 2019 Jan 1; 39 (1): 374137-41.

BackgroundSince routine immunization could change the epidemiological profile of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the future, it is important to determine the baseline immunity to HAV across Turkey.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A among individuals 6 years of age and older in Yozgat, Turkey.DesignCross-sectional.SettingCommunity in central region of Turkey.Patients And MethodsQuestionnaires and blood specimens were collected and the presence of hepatitis A IgG antibodies against hepatitis A virus was determined quantitatively by ELISA.Main Outcome MeasuresThe rates of hepatitis A immunity by age group.Sample Size1862.ResultsImmunity to hepatitis A was 79.1% (n=1473). The mean (SD) age was 17.1 (14.7) years in the nonimmune group and 37.8 (19.5) years in the immune group (P less than .001), and immunity increased with age. No significant difference in immunity rate was detected between gen.ders in children and adults. The seropositivity rate for subjects ages 6-19 years was lower than in subjects aged 20-96 years (52.2% versus 93.9%; P less than .001).ConclusionA catch-up vaccination program is needed for persons aged 6-19 years in Yozgat.LimitationsSingle region data which can not be generalized. For this reason, a multi-centered study that can reflect the whole country is recommended.Conflict Of InterestNone.

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