Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Antibody in Patients Admitted to the Psychiatric Ward of Sina Hospital, Hamadan

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most common health problems worldwide and has the highest prevalence in societies with low to moderate social class. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis A antibody in the patients admitted to the psychiatric ward of Sina hospital, Hamadan, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, ۲۷۰ patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of Sina hospital were evaluated in ۲۰۱۵. Blood samples were analyzed by ELISA method and the HAV IgG antibody were measured in them. SPSS software version ۱۶.۰ was used to analyze the data. Results: Hepatitis A test result was positive in ۷۰.۴% of the participants. The per capita income, household size, sex, educational level, place of residence, and occupational status were not significantly different between the patients who were seropositive for the hepatitis A antibody and HAV negative patients (P <۰.۰۵). The highest incidence was observed in the people with mood disorders. However, there was no difference in the type of disease between the patients who were seropositive for the IgG antibody and the HAV negative patients. Conclusions: Based on the results, the prevalence of HAV among urban and rural populations was not significantly different. The study patients were seropositive for IgG antibodies for HAV in the rates similar to those of populations with high prevalence of the disease, indicating a low level of health status in the community.