Evaluation of a mass measles vaccination campaign among school children aged 7-14 years old in Denizli, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pre-campaign level of measles seropositivity and to evaluate the effect of a mass measles vaccination campaign on measles seroposivity among primary school children in Denizli, Turkey.


METHODS
The study was completed in two socioeconomically different areas of Denizli, Turkey, with a sample size of 520 students. One primary school from each area and one classroom from each grade were randomly included in the sample. Before and 2-months after the measles mass vaccinations, blood samples were collected from the students and measles specific IgGs were studied.


RESULTS
The pre-campaign overall seropositivity was 74.7%. Post-campaign overall seropositivity increased to 96.5%. Pre-campaign seropositivity among 8-graders was significantly lower than that in other grades (57.5%, p<0.001) and the difference was explained by the number of vaccinations 8-graders received. Except for the number of vaccination doses, other factors did not have any effect on seropositivity.


CONCLUSIONS
The mass measles vaccination programs have a potential to control measles for developing countries. In addition, more than one dose of measles vaccination is required for developing countries.
Bozkurt
A I
AI
Department of Public Health, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
Bostanci
M
M
Cevahir
N
N
Ergin
Ahmet
A
Sancak
I
I
Yilmaz
B
B
Çatak
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012574:Schools; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D008458:Measles Vaccine
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