Singapore Med J 2011; 52(2) : 107 Original Article Qazvin Blood Transfusion Centre, Iran Blood Transfusion Organisation Research Centre, PO Box 34166- 13445, Qazvin, Iran Ramezani H, MD Deputy of Education and Research Bozorgi SH, MD Director Mostajeri A, MSc Consultant Kargar-Fard H, BS Consultant Molaverdikhani S, AS Consultant Mazdaki A, MSc Consultant Baqiyatallah Research Centre for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Baqiyatallah Hospital, Molla Sadra Street, Vanaq Square, PO Box 14155-3651, Tehran, Iran Nooranipour M, MD Manager Alavian SM, MD President and Professor Correspondence to: Prof Seyed Moayed Alavian Tel: (98) 2181262072 Fax: (98) 2181262072 Email: alavian@thc.ir Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis A among blood donors in Qazvin, central Iran Ramezani H, Bozorgi S H, Nooranipour M, Mostajeri A, Kargar-Fard H, Molaverdikhani S, Mazdaki A, Alavian S M ABSTRACT Introduction: The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries. Althrough children aged 5–14 years are the most infected age group, all age groups are equally affected in an HAV epidemic. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of HAV among blood donors in Qazvin, central Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in April 2008 on a total of 351 blood donors aged 17 to 60 years. Information on demographic variables and probable risk factors was recorded. The blood samples were investigated for antibodies to HAV (HAV Ab). Data was analysed using the t-test, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test to examine the factors related to HAV Ab positivity. Results: Out of the 351 blood donors, 49.0 percent (n is 172) were regular blood donors, 94.0 percent (n is 330) were male and 71.0 percent (n is 248) were married. HAV Ab was found in 94.9 percent (n is 333) of the total sample. The prevalence of HAV Ab was higher among married and older participants. It was lower among those with a high school or vocational level of education (p is less than 0.05) than among those with a lower level of education. Conclusion: This study reveals a high prevalence of HAV Ab among adult blood donors in Qazvin, which indicates a high level of childhood contact with HAV in the area. Keywords: blood donors, hepatitis A virus, Iran, prevalence, risk factors Singapore Med J 2011; 52(2): 107-112 INTRODUCTION The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a global problem. (1) It is often passed through the faecal-oral route. Endemic areas tend to have poor general hygiene and sanitation, as well as a lower community socioeconomic status. HAV is highly endemic in South America, Africa, India, the Middle East and Asia, while it is much less common in industrialised countries, such as the United States and Japan. From time to time, the United States experiences a large outbreak, but such cases are beginning to occur less frequently. Except for community-level outbreaks, the populations that are most affected by the virus are school-aged children and young adolescents. In order to effectively address this problem on a national level, all children should be vaccinated at a young age. (2) HAV is usually contracted through sexual contact, faecal-oral transmission within the household (22%–26%), contact with daycare attendees or employees (14%–16%), while travelling abroad (5%), or ingestion of contaminated food and water (5%). However, in almost half of all instances, the route of HAV infection is unknown. (3) As mentioned above, the geographical patterns of HAV infection vary greatly, not only between countries but also within each country. (4) In the latter, the disease spreads most quickly in highly populated areas with poor sanitation infrastructure and a shortage of water. Infections occur most commonly among children under the age of ten, and in most cases, the victim displays no symptoms. (5) In most of the developed world, HAV is more likely to be contracted by older adolescents or adults. (6) They tend to experience a comorbidity of jaundice and more severe HAV symptoms, whereas young children are unlikely to experience jaundice, and often display no HAV symptoms at all. (7) HAV is endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HAV among blood donors in Qazvin, central Iran. METHODS This study utilised a cross-sectional analytical design and was conducted in April 2008. During this period, 612 participants were referred to the Qazvin Blood Transfusion Centre for blood donation. 127 of them were rejected for