Malaysia is a non-endemic country for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. However, seroprevalence as high as 50% among samples of aboriginal people were reported over two decades ago. A total of 207 samples collected from seven aboriginal villages in rural settlements across two states in Malaysia were analysed for anti-HEV IgG and IgM by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Following the detection of anti-HEV seroprevalence, we organized health outreach to inform and educate the community. Qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals tested positive for anti-HEV antibodies. Data derived from interviews and observations were used to investigate possible lifestyle behaviours associated with HEV infection. Anti-HEV IgG was detected in six samples (5.9%) from the village of Dusun Kubur. Qualitative inquiry and observation study revealed poor dietary and household hygiene, contaminated food and water, contact with animal faeces, unsanitary and domestic waste disposal, and wildlife reservoirs could be the contributing factors for transmission and acquisition of HEV infection. Investigation during health outreach is important to provide insights for future empirical research and implementation for improvement of lifestyle behaviours among the aborigines. Managing the risk of HEV infection in the aborigines may reduce the risk of HEV transmission to the local communities.

中文翻译：

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研究戊型肝炎病毒的血清流行率，并调查马来西亚土著居民的生活方式。

马来西亚是戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）感染的非流行国家。然而，据报道，在二十多年前，原住民样本中的血清阳性率高达50％。通过酶联免疫分析，从马来西亚两个州的农村居民点的七个原住民村庄收集的总共207个样品进行了抗HEV IgG和IgM的分析。在检测到抗HEV血清阳性后，我们组织了健康外展活动，为社区提供信息和教育。定性访谈是针对抗HEV抗体检测呈阳性的个体进行的。来自访谈和观察的数据被用来调查可能与HEV感染相关的生活方式。在Dusun Kubur村的六个样本中检测到抗HEV IgG（5.9％）。定性调查和观察研究表明，饮食和家庭卫生状况较差，食物和水被污染，与动物粪便的接触，不卫生和家庭废物的处理以及野生生物储库可能是戊型肝炎病毒感染的传播和获得因素。在健康外展期间进行调查对于为未来的实证研究和实施提供见解，以改善土著居民的生活方式行为很重要。管理原住民中的戊型肝炎病毒感染风险可以降低戊型肝炎病毒传播到当地社区的风险。在健康外展期间进行调查对于为未来的实证研究和实施提供见解，以改善土著居民的生活方式行为非常重要。管理原住民中的戊型肝炎病毒感染风险可以降低戊型肝炎病毒传播到当地社区的风险。在健康外展期间进行调查对于为未来的实证研究和实施提供见解，以改善土著居民的生活方式行为很重要。管理原住民中的戊型肝炎病毒感染风险可以降低戊型肝炎病毒传播到当地社区的风险。