Assessment of Immune Susceptibility to Rubella Among Pregnant Women in Hilla City

Abstract

Background: Rubella (German measles) is a viral infection, which is contagious disease and self‑limiting. Nonimmune adult women maybe infected during pregnancy; the 1st‑trimester rubella infection is very dangerous and may lead to miscarriage or severe fetal malformation(congenital rubella syndrome). That is why basic epidemiological data concerning rubella (immunity and seropositivity) is necessary forhealth planners and health‑care providers in preventive medicine. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the immunesusceptibility to rubella among pregnant women by checking serum immunoglobulin (Rubella IgG) using enzyme‑linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) test. Materials and Methods: The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Babylon University, Collegeof Medicine. A cross‑sectional study was to investigate the seroprevalence of rubella infection and associated possible risk factors amongpregnant women. A total of 100 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy were enrolled from four different primary health‑carecenters in Al‑Hilla city. Filling a prepared structured questionnaire followed by ELISA test to detect IgG against rubella in the blood sampleswas collected. Results: A total of 100 pregnant women with a mean age of 24.78 ± 5.74 years who are in their first trimester of pregnancy,the study shows that 58 (58%) of the pregnant women have negative IgG against rubella (none immune), whereas the remaining 42 (42%)have positive IgG (either by previous infection with rubella or through vaccination). Living in rural area was highly significant among theseronegative pregnant women, 32 out of 58 seronegative women (55.2%), 41 (97%) of the seropositive group had regular vaccination program,whereas 36 (62%) of the seronegative group had irregular or unknown vaccination history, and 18 (31%) have no vaccination at all with aP < 0.001. The primary level of education was dominant among all the studied women with a P = 0.017. Conclusion: A high percentage ofwomen of reproductive age group, mainly those living in the rural area are considered (at risk) population which necessitates an action bythe health services provider.