2013 Volume 9 Pages 23-32
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has set a goal of zero cases of measles by 2012 and has adopted initiatives towards its elimination. However, it remains necessary to improve the understanding of immunization by Japanese people. This study assessed the seroprevalence of measles and rubella antibodies in high school students and analyzed the effects of health education related to infection and immunity. In 2008 and 2010, 1,155 students attending S high school in G prefecture, Japan, attended a health education class titled, “Basics about infection and the immune system”. Measles and/or rubella antibody titers were measured in 563 consenting students. An identical survey of five questions was administered before and after the class and the changes in knowledge were assessed in all 1,155 students. In this study, the seroprevalence of measles and rubella antibodies was 83.5% and 80.4%, respectively. In an analysis of the responses to the survey administered to 1,155 students before and after attending the health education class, the mean total score increased from 3.38 points to 4.29 points for the five questions (perfect score = 5 points) (p<0.0001). Mean scores were then calculated for students whose antibody titers were not measured, students whose antibody titers were measured, and a control group. The mean score increased to 4.58 points after the class in the students whose antibody titers were measured; however, the degree of increase was smaller in the students whose antibody titers were not measured (4.10 points) and the control group (3.88 points).
The results of this study suggest that the seroprevalence in high school students is insufficient to eliminate measles and rubella, and the health education is effective for improving understanding about infection and immunity.
