Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience
Abstract Background Measles, despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, remains a significant global health concern. It is crucial that healthcare workers, who serve as the first line of contact with infected individuals, are properly immunized. This study aimed to investigate changes in measles s...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22480-2 |
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| author | Dilşah Başkol Elik Mehmet Buğra Özkara Pınar Kıran İrem Nur Şahin Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan |
| author_facet | Dilşah Başkol Elik Mehmet Buğra Özkara Pınar Kıran İrem Nur Şahin Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan |
| author_sort | Dilşah Başkol Elik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Measles, despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, remains a significant global health concern. It is crucial that healthcare workers, who serve as the first line of contact with infected individuals, are properly immunized. This study aimed to investigate changes in measles seroprevalence among Ege University Faculty of Medicine students between 2010 and 2024. Methods Medical faculty students who underwent anti-measles Immunoglobulin G screening at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, in İzmir, Turkey, between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2024, were included in this study. The demographic data of the participants were recorded from the electronic patient files. Results The study included 1,448 medical students, of whom 51.9% (n = 751) were male, with a mean age of 21.28 ± 1.48 years. Measles seropositivity was observed in 46.1% of the participants (n = 668). Among those born between 1998 and 2004, seropositivity was 23.8%, whereas it was significantly higher, at 67.5%, in those born between 1986 and 1997 (p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysisof measles seroprevalence by birth year revealed a strong negative and statistically significant relationship (r=-0.964, p < 0.001). When analyzed by place of birth, the lowest measles seroprevalence was observed in the Eastern Marmara region (34.5%). Conclusions Our study emphasizes the substantial number of young healthcare workers who are still vulnerable to measles, posing a potential risk during outbreaks. Early screening and vaccination of medical students against vaccine-preventable diseases are essential during their education. This proactive strategy not only protects individuals but also strengthens herd immunity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-719091ee7b84478bac527839cb27c8a4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-719091ee7b84478bac527839cb27c8a42025-08-20T03:46:12ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-07-012511610.1186/s12889-025-22480-2Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experienceDilşah Başkol Elik0Mehmet Buğra Özkara1Pınar Kıran2İrem Nur Şahin3Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem4Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan5Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Turgutlu State HospitalDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University Faculty of MedicineHealth Directorate of IstanbulDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Ege University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University Faculty of MedicineAbstract Background Measles, despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, remains a significant global health concern. It is crucial that healthcare workers, who serve as the first line of contact with infected individuals, are properly immunized. This study aimed to investigate changes in measles seroprevalence among Ege University Faculty of Medicine students between 2010 and 2024. Methods Medical faculty students who underwent anti-measles Immunoglobulin G screening at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, in İzmir, Turkey, between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2024, were included in this study. The demographic data of the participants were recorded from the electronic patient files. Results The study included 1,448 medical students, of whom 51.9% (n = 751) were male, with a mean age of 21.28 ± 1.48 years. Measles seropositivity was observed in 46.1% of the participants (n = 668). Among those born between 1998 and 2004, seropositivity was 23.8%, whereas it was significantly higher, at 67.5%, in those born between 1986 and 1997 (p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysisof measles seroprevalence by birth year revealed a strong negative and statistically significant relationship (r=-0.964, p < 0.001). When analyzed by place of birth, the lowest measles seroprevalence was observed in the Eastern Marmara region (34.5%). Conclusions Our study emphasizes the substantial number of young healthcare workers who are still vulnerable to measles, posing a potential risk during outbreaks. Early screening and vaccination of medical students against vaccine-preventable diseases are essential during their education. This proactive strategy not only protects individuals but also strengthens herd immunity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22480-2MeaslesSeroprevalenceHealthcare workersMedical studentsTurkey |
| spellingShingle | Dilşah Başkol Elik Mehmet Buğra Özkara Pınar Kıran İrem Nur Şahin Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience BMC Public Health Measles Seroprevalence Healthcare workers Medical students Turkey |
| title | Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience |
| title_full | Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience |
| title_fullStr | Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience |
| title_short | Variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth: Ege University experience |
| title_sort | variation in measles seroprevalence among medical students based on place and year of birth ege university experience |
| topic | Measles Seroprevalence Healthcare workers Medical students Turkey |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22480-2 |
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