Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 58 (5), 279-282, 2005
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Original Article
Prevalence of Tetanus Immunity in the Kocaeli Region, Turkey
Volkan Dundar*, Zeki Yumuk, Devrim Ozturk-Dundar, Sarper Erdogan1, and Gulcin Gacar2
Department of Medical Microbiology and 1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, 2Health Science Institute, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
(Received February 28, 2005. Accepted July 13, 2005)
*Corresponding author: Mailing address: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey. Tel: +90-262-3037441, Fax: +90-262-3037003, E-mail: vdundar52@yahoo.com.tr
SUMMARY: We assessed the antibody levels and risk factors for tetanus in an adult population in the Kocaeli Region of Turkey. In 595 individuals over 20 years of age, serum concentrations of anti-tetanus antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a brief questionnaire was administered. The overall immunity rate was approximately 80% and there was a progressive decline in protection with increasing age. Antibody levels were significantly higher in educated people (80.1%), in employed people (90.3%), in those under 40 years of age (95.0%) and in those who stated that they had received a previous tetanus vaccination (87.9%). There was no association between antibody level and sex, residence, socioeconomic status, military status or history of injury. These data indicate that a vigorous post-injury prophylaxy with antitoxin and antisera should be put into practice, especially for older people, and that immunization programs applied every 10 years must be strengthened.