BACKGROUND:
Although lifestyle changes have led to changes in the epidemiology of Hepatitis A infection in different countries, there is no special guideline for its prevention. The latter is because of the lack of information about the prevalence of this infection. Hence, in this study the anti-HAV seroprevalence was determined in Isfahan province, Iran.

METHODS:
In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2005, a number of 816 subjects aged over 6 years who were selected by multi stage random cluster sampling from urban and rural areas of Isfahan province were studied. Demographic data and blood samples were collected and anti-HAV antibodies were measured by ELISA method. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was considered significant.

FINDINGS:
The subjects of this study included 428 female and 388 male. The overall anti-HAV seroprevalence rate was 8.09%. There were statistical differences between HAV seropositivity in regions of Isfahan province which the most was seen in Borkhar and Meimeh (28.6%) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in HAV seropositivity between the subjects grouped according to demographic factors excepting marital status [12.4% in single pepole and 5.7% in married subject (p=0.006)].

CONCLUSION:
HAV seroprevalence in Isfahan province is not so high that can be caused by improved sanitary conditions. More studeis in other parts of Iran are needed to set new strategy for post exposure prophylaxis and hepatitis A vaccination.

KEY WORDS:
HAV, seroprevalence, Iran, Isfahan