Rubella Immunity among Pregnant Women in Bangui, Central African Republic

Abstract

Sero-positivity rates of the rubella virus among pregnant women vary from country to country widely throughout the world. In the Central African Republic, rubella vaccination is not included in the national immunization schedule. Thus, we propose to evaluate the immune status of pregnant women. This was an analytical retrospective study that consulted the records of pregnant women received in prenatal consultations at the Bangui Community Hospital maternity ward from January to December 2020. Socio-demographic and laboratory data (IgM, IgG) were collected from January to June 2021. Chi2 test was used. A total of 289 pregnant women were analyzed. Women with an IgM+ response accounted for 4.15%. Those with an IgG+ were 14.87%. The distribution by age group shows that patients aged 20 - 24 and those aged 25 - 29 had a rubella profile suggesting persistent infection (p = 0.010). The average age of women included was 28 (±6) years. The average parity for the entire sample was 2.18 (1.93). At any age pregnant women were not significantly exposed to rubella infection (p = 0.96), (ORbrut = 1.03; CI95% = [0.32 - 3.34]). Both immunized and non-immunized individuals are similarly exposed [OR = 0.86; 95% IC95% = 0.44 - 1.68] with no difference (p = 0.96). Rubella infection remains particularly severe when it occurs during pregnancy. It would be wise to seek immunity in all girls of childbearing age in order to rule out any risk of rubella embryopathy.