The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and correlates of
diphtheria and
tetanus in Edirne, Turkey.
Tetanus and
diphtheria antitoxin levels were determined by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Among 99 participants, a
diphtheria antitoxin level of >or=0.1 IU/mL was found in 97 (98%), while 2 (2%) had
antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) in men were statistically higher. Among 295 participants, a
tetanus antitoxin level of >or=0.1 IU/mL was found in 291 (98.6%), while 4 (1.4%) had
antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. Participants who had completed secondary school or higher education showed higher GMT values. Additionally, participants vaccinated within the previous 5 years had higher GMT values and the percentage of participants who had completed secondary school or higher education was higher among them. GMTs decrease with increasing age and increase as the poverty index increases. The average socioeconomic status index of the participants was high for both
diphtheria and
tetanus seroepidemiology. In this community-based study,
antitoxin levels of
diphtheria and
tetanus were high. However, revaccination of adults with
tetanus-
diphtheria toxoids at every opportunity (military service, pregnancy, post-injury prophylaxis, etc.) together with a single booster every 10 years should be considered as an immunization policy.