Seroprevalence of varicella‐zoster virus infection in children from Cochabamba: tropical or temperate pattern?

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To determine the seroprevalence of varicella‐zoster viral ( VZV ) infections in schoolchildren from the Cochabamba region (Bolivia), and its association with socio‐demographic variables, socio‐economic status and geographical location. Methods Seroepidemiological survey ( n = 436) on VZV of schoolchildren living in the Cochabamba region of Bolivia in 2010. An ELISA test was used to measure varicella antibodies. Parents or guardians completed a questionnaire regarding socio‐demographic information (age, gender, living area, parental educational level, presence of siblings and number of family members in the household), and a blood sample was collected from each child to check for VZV antibodies. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed. Results The global prevalence of VZV was 78.2% (95% CI 74.3–82.1). It was higher in females (82.1%), pre‐adolescents (aged 10.1–13 years: 81.4%) and adolescents (aged >13 years: 80.2%), in children with less well‐educated parents (81.3% to 81.6%), in warmer municipalities (81.4% to 82.2%), in rural areas (80.0%), in children with siblings (80.1%), those who although the latter association was not statistically significant. Conclusions The prevalence of VZV infection in childhood was relatively high for a tropical country, and much closer to that of temperate countries prior to the introduction of varicella vaccine into vaccination programmes.