[Evaluation of tetanus vaccine coverage in rural society]

Abstract

The Liège University Department of General Practice and the Association of the General Practitioners of Sprimont (Belgian municipality) have jointly drawn up a study protocol named "Evaluation of anti-tetanus cover in rural society". The aim of this epidemiological search program was to answer the 2 following questions: What is the status of anti-tetanus cover among the rural population, according to age, sex and social classes? Is vaccine protection influenced by leisure activities (sport practice, gardening and animal farming at a small scale)? We received 790 answers out of 960 forms sent in a at random selected population (82.3%). A sampling classification has been done by the general practitioners, who have determined 3 categories of patients: unprotected patients (no vaccination for the last 10 years), patients in the process of vaccination, protected patients. Protected patients represent 51.8% of the population. Surprisingly enough, more than 45% of that rural population are not protected. This study clearly shows that two factors highly influence the vaccination cover against tetanus: age (elderly are less protected) and sex (women are always less protected than men). It also emerges from our analysis that the nature of the population's professional activities does not influence the protection rate. In contrast, leisure activities seem to have a favourable impact on the vaccination rate, sport leading to a better protection for both sexes. It is also true in the case of gardening practice, frequent in rural environment. We must then be careful to reach optimal vaccination among a population with an increasing life expectancy, therefore with more and more elderly people, and we must be careful with vaccination among females, presently less protected. The role of the family doctor is paramount to carry out that mission.