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DIPHTHERIA SEROPREVALENCE IN CHILDREN LIVING IN THE EASTERN TURKEY
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of diphtheria in 767 children aged 0-6 years
and to identify the relationship between diphtheria seroprevalence and several sociodemographic
characteristics of the study subjects in the Erzurum, Erzincan and Kars
cities situated in Eastern Turkey.
Design: A cross sectional study.
Setting: The subjects were recruited from three cities (Erzurum, Erzincan, Kars). The
sampling method of 30 clusters recommended for field studies was used for a predetermined
number of selecting subjects in the rural and urban areas in each city.
Subjects: Of the 767 children included in this study, 423 were from Erzurum, 187 from
Kars and 157 from Erzincan. Diphtheria serology was used to examine the blood samples
by ELISA method.
Results: Positive diphtheria seroprevalence was detected in 77.9% of 767 subjects in
Eastern Turkey. Seroprevalence was 74.5% in children younger than one year of age,
increased to 84% at the age of 3-4 years, and reduced to 80% at the age of 4-5 years
and 69.8% at the age of 5-6 years. The seroprevalence rates were similar in sex and
number of siblings. Seroprevalence of diphtheria increased with educational level of
parents in the rural area.
Conclusion: Positive seroprevalence against diphtheria in eastern Turkey is disturbingly
low.
Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of diphtheria in 767 children aged 0-6 years
and to identify the relationship between diphtheria seroprevalence and several sociodemographic
characteristics of the study subjects in the Erzurum, Erzincan and Kars
cities situated in Eastern Turkey.
Design: A cross sectional study.
Setting: The subjects were recruited from three cities (Erzurum, Erzincan, Kars). The
sampling method of 30 clusters recommended for field studies was used for a predetermined
number of selecting subjects in the rural and urban areas in each city.
Subjects: Of the 767 children included in this study, 423 were from Erzurum, 187 from
Kars and 157 from Erzincan. Diphtheria serology was used to examine the blood samples
by ELISA method.
Results: Positive diphtheria seroprevalence was detected in 77.9% of 767 subjects in
Eastern Turkey. Seroprevalence was 74.5% in children younger than one year of age,
increased to 84% at the age of 3-4 years, and reduced to 80% at the age of 4-5 years
and 69.8% at the age of 5-6 years. The seroprevalence rates were similar in sex and
number of siblings. Seroprevalence of diphtheria increased with educational level of
parents in the rural area.
Conclusion: Positive seroprevalence against diphtheria in eastern Turkey is disturbingly
low.
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