e238 14th International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID) Abstracts view. Total antibodies to hepatitis A virus were detected by EIA. Frequencies of HAV infection by region and the age distribution of the susceptible population were estimated and odds ratio (95% CI) were calculated using GLLAMM. Results: The prevalence of hepatitis A infection in the 5-9 and 10-19 age-group by region: North (28.7% and 67.5%); Northeast (41.5% and 57.4%); Midwest (32.3 and 56.0%); Federal District (33.8%

more »

... 65.1%); Southeast (20.6% and 37.7%); South (18.9% and 34.5%). There was increasing trend for the prevalence of HAV infection with age in all sites. The curves of susceptible populations differed from one area to another. Multilevel modelling showed that deprivation/low socio-economic status was associated with HAV infection in all regions. Conclusion: This is the first national population-based survey to determine prevalence of hepatitis A (HBA) in all capital cities showing the shift pattern from high to intermediated/ low endemicity. Differences in age trends of infection were detected among settings. This multilevel model allowed for quantification of contextual predictors of hepatitis A infection in urban areas. Support: PAHO, Ministry of Health, CNPq.