ABSTRACT

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that has a potential for outbreaks. Health care workers (HCWs) are the most vulnerable group to get infected. In this study, measles seroprevalence in HCWs and the relationship of seroprevalence with age and occupational groups was studied.

The measles serology of 422 HCWs tested between January 2010 and January 2011 was retrospectively searched from the electronic data system. The names, ages, and occupations were obtained from the personnel registration department. The blood samples were examined for measles immunoglobulin G using a micro-ELISA kit qualitative (NovaTec Immundiagnostica GmbH, Dietzenbach, Germany). The results were compared according to the occupational groups (doctors, nurses, and non-medical staff).

A total of 94% HCWs were immune to measles. Employees in the non-medical staff (91%) were below this percentage while doctors (98%) and nurses (95%) were above. Although the immune status to measles was more remarkable for the doctor group, no statistical significance was found (p=0.080).

The measles seroprevalence is increasing with age and is particularly higher in the medical staff rather than the non-medical staff.

Keywords: Measles, seroprevalence, health care workers