Evaluation of tetanus antibody levels in adults in Yozgat, Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIM To assess the immune status against tetanus in relation to self-declared vaccination status among an adult population in Yozgat, Turkey. METHODS Questionnaires and blood specimens were collected from 267 individuals over 18 years of age in Yozgat, Turkey. Antitetanus antibodies were determined quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Among the 267 subjects (mean age 43.4 ± 15.6; male:female, 133:134) 168 (62.9%) had protective level of tetanus antibody titers. There was a characteristic distribution of the tetanus antibody titers in different age groups as it dropped with increasing age. Protective immunity was obtained in 74.1% of urban and 47.9% of rural participants. The lowest immunity was observed among farmers (53.3%) and housewives (55.6%) when compared to other occupations. Protective antibody titers were detected in 25% of the individuals who had not finished any school, while the rate was 83.7% in those who had graduated from university. While the protection rate in women who had been vaccinated during pregnancy was 78.3%, this rate was 39.2% in nonvaccinated women. CONCLUSION Our findings confirm that only 62.9% of the population is immunized against tetanus, with a lack of coverage in particular for the elderly and in rural areas. It is necessary to follow the recommendations for 10-year boosters for tetanus.