Abstract
Introductionrubella virus usually causes a mild disease, but maternal infection early in pregnancy often leads to birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Rubella remains poorly controlled in Africa despite being a vaccine preventable disease. The objective of this study was to determine the risk factor of expose of rubella and prevalence of rubella IgG antibodies among pregnant women in Zaria. The results of this study will provide data which may be used to advise the government of Kaduna State on the need to include rubella vaccine in the free routine immunization particularly for women of childbearing age.Methodsa cross-sectional study was carried out. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics from three different health facilities in Zaria. A questionnaire was administered, to determine the proportion of pregnant women vaccinated and the sera of these women were tested for rubella IgG antibody using commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit. Statistical variables were compared with univariate (frequencies) bivariate (chi- square), multivariate analyses (logistic regression). A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significantly associated at 95% confidence intervals.Resultsof the 246 pregnant women screened, 222 (90.2%) were positive for rubella IgG. Prevalence was highest 82/222 (36.9%) among age group 20-24 years. Those positive of those who had completed secondary school education were 104/222 (46.8%) A large number among those who tested positive with 197/222 (88.7%) were married. The Hausa tribe 155/222 (69.9%) had the highest positivity for rubella IgG. Only 2 (0.9%) women claimed to have received rubella vaccine and 159/222 (71.6%) women were seropositive for IgG among the unemployed group.Conclusionthe serological evidence of rubella virus is an indication that rubella is endemic in Nigeria. Nigeria should include rubella vaccination in the routine immunization exercise for women before they get pregnant to reduce the risk of CRS.
Highlights
During the first trimester of pregnancy, rubella virus may infect all organs of the fetus which could cause severe birth defects, death or abortion described as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) [1,2,3]
The prevalence of rubella immunity varies in different geographical areas of the world
Our study showed a high prevalence of rubella IgG antibodies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Zaria
Summary
During the first trimester of pregnancy, rubella virus may infect all organs of the fetus which could cause severe birth defects, death or abortion described as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) [1,2,3]. Rubella virus being the only member Rubivirus and the family Togaviridae is commonly known as three-day measles or German measles [2] and symptoms of rubella include low-grade fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, upper respiratory symptoms, sore throat, maculopapular rash [3]. The prevalence of rubella immunity varies in different geographical areas of the world. Women have a relatively higher prevalence of rubella immunity (93.2%) in Europe [4], cases of multiple rubella defects recognizable close to the time of birth in infants in the United Kingdom have been reported [5]
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