A cross-sectional study on serum measles antibody levels of a healthy population in southwest China

This study aimed to investigate measles antibody level and its associated factors in a healthy Chinese population, so as to provide evidence to measles prevention and control measures in the future. We conducted a cross-sectional survey by using probability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) among a healthy population aged 8 months to 45 years. Information on measles vaccination status was obtained from the vaccination certificates. Serum measles IgG antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were used to analysis the associated factors of measles antibody. Of the 663 study subjects, the positive rate, protective rate, and geometric mean concentration (GMC) of measles antibodies were 92.76%, 77.53%, 1612.55 mIU/ml, respectively. The antibody concentration was higher in Han ethnical majority than in Hui minority. The positive rate, protective rate and concentration of antibodies in different age groups and regions were clearly disparate. Age, area, and measles-containing vaccine (MCV) immunization history were the prominent influencing factors of antibody positive rate and protective rate. Ethnicity, age, area, and MVC immunization history were the influencing factors of antibody concentration. Our major findings suggest that, children in rural China, especially in impoverished mountainous regions, were more likely to suffer from delays in measles vaccination. Various measures in optimizing vaccination practices should be implemented in order to prevent possible measles epidemic, even outbreak in these regions.