Epidemic characteristics of hepatitis A in Liaoning province, 2002-2014

Objective To analyze epidemical characteristics of hepatitis A in Liaoning province from 2002 through 2014 for making prevention and control strategies.Methods Data about epidemics of hepatitis A in Liaoning province from 2002 to 2014 were collected from National Notifiable Disease Report and Management System and analyzed with descriptive epidemiology methods.Results The number and incidence rate of hepatitis A were generally declined during the period and the incidence decreased by 87.87% in 2014 compared to that in 2002.There was no obvious season variation in the incidence rate but a few more cases were reported in spring season of a year.More cases were reported in Dandong and Dalian municipality and other coastal areas.The majority of the reported cases were young adults, with an increasing trend for the age with high incidence.More male cases were reported with a male to female ratio of 1.93:1 and the gender ratio declined during the period.Major parts of the reported cases were peasants, the unemployed, and workers.Conclusion The reported incidence rate of hepatitis A gradually decreased in Liaoning province from 2002 to 2014, suggesting control measures, in cluding hepatitis A virus vaccine inoculation as a major action, for hepatitis A are effective but areas with high incidence rate and populations at high risk should be concerned in the control of hepatitis A.