Systematic review and meta-analysis on the age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A in Iran

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Annual medical and work loss costs of hepatitis A are signifi cant even in low-endemic countries. It is recommended that each country should collect and review the information needed to estimate its national burden of hepatitis A to provide evidence for health policy makers to implement appropriate and cost-eff ective preventive strategy for HAV infection. Th e objective of this study was to estimate accurate prevalence of HAV infection in Iran for best preventive measures. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE, Institute of Scientifi c Information, Scopus, Iranmedex, Irandoc, Magiran and Scientifi c Information Database were searched. Th e seroprevalence of HAV were pooled by age, sex and residence using fi xed and random eff ect models. Results: Sixteen papers representing 11857 subjects were included. Th e overall HAV seroprevalence was 51% (confi dence interval [CI] 95%: 50-52%) in fi xed and 66% (95% CI: 50-79%) in random eff ects models. Th e prevalence was 32% (CI 95%: 11-63%) in less than 20, 50% (CI 95%: 24-75%) in 20-30, and 67% (CI 95%: 17-95%) in more than 30 years of age. Th e diff erence was not signifi cant in gender or residence subgroups. Conclusion: HAV infection in Iran may be considered as low or very low. Th erefore, targeted vaccination of high-risk groups and more improvement in environmental sanitation would be the best preventive measure.