Immunity to tetanus among adults in Turkey

In 100 individuals > 18 y of age, living in urban or rural regions of Ankara, antitetanus immunoglobulin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a brief questionnaire was administered. In total, 68% of subjects showed protective levels (> 0.01 IU/ml). Differences between rural (64%) and urban (72%) areas and between males (71.4%) and females (61.1%) were not significant (p > 0.05). Protective levels were found in 93.1% of subjects aged 18-30 y, 77.3% of those aged 30-40 y, 58.3% of those aged 40-50 y, 41.7% of those aged 50-60 y, 36.4% of those aged 60-70 y and 20% of those aged > 70 y. Only 35.7% of individuals aged > 50 y of age were found to be protected against tetanus (p = 0.004). The levels of antitetanus antibody in individuals vaccinated in the last 10 y were significantly higher than those in individuals vaccinated > 10 y ago and in those who did not remember the vaccination date (p = 0.009). Poor immunity against tetanus is a problem in elderly people in Turkey.