Missed opportunities for tetanus vaccination in pregnant women, and factors associated with seropositivity

KALACA S., YALCIN M., Yavuz S.

PUBLIC HEALTH, vol.118, no.5, pp.377-382, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 118 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.puhe.2003.12.011
  • Journal Name: PUBLIC HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.377-382
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalance rate of tetanus and to determine missed opportunities for tetanus vaccination. Two hundred and twenty-seven female volunteers who were hospitalized following delivery participated in the study. Blood samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunoassay to measure tetanus antibody levels. In addition, a questionnaire was used to investigate the factors associated with vaccination status. Sixty-five percent of the study participants had safe protective levels of antibodies. Factors associated with antibody level were age, level of education and number of doses.