The Effect of Vaccine Policy on HAV Seropositivity of Syrian Immigrants and Local Turkish People

Introduction: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection poses a significant public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. This study investigated the effect of vaccination policies on the HAV seropositivity of Syrian immigrants and local Turkish people. Methods: The anti-HAV antibodies of ۶۰۰۷ patients, including ۵۶۱۳ (۹۳.۴%) Turks and ۳۹۴ (۶.۶%) Syrian suspected of HAV infection, were analyzed by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method. Results: In our study, total anti-HAV positivity was higher in Turkish patients than in Syrian patients in the ۰-۹ age group, while in the ۱۰-۱۹, ۲۰-۲۹, and ۳۰-۳۹ age groups, the rate was higher in Syrians. Anti-HAV seropositivity was significantly higher in Turkish male patients than female patients. The young adult and adult age groups of Turks were more at risk of HAV infection, i.e., when the disease is symptomatic. Conclusion: Vaccination of young and young adult seronegative Turks and ensuring Syrian children's participation in the routine vaccination program implemented in our country is a requirement for preventing HAV infection.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hepatitis A Virus ، anti-HAV antibodies ، Seroprevalence ، Syrian refugees ، Turks