The Prevalence of Rubella Virus among Children and Adolescents in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rubella is an infectious and generally mild childhood viral disease. The disease is of public health importance because infection acquired during early pregnancy often results in foetal abnormalities termed congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Rubella IgG antibodies among 455 children and adolescent aged between 5 and 19 years in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Sera were screened for Rubella IgG antibody using commercially produced ELISA Kit and Rub IgG kit manufactured by Genesis Diagnostic Laboratory Ltd pharmaceutical company, Henry Crubb road Littleport, UK. Of the 455 subjects screened, Rubella antibody was found in 268 samples giving an overall prevalence of 58.1% with the southern senatorial zone having the highest prevalence though not statistically significant. Rubella seroprevalence increased with age (51.1%, 63.6%, 65.1%  for the age group 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 years respectively), with females having significantly higher prevalence rate than male (67%). There was no statistically significant difference in seropositivity with regards to the type of settlement and educational level of the parents. This study shows that overall children between ages 5-19 have no antibodies to Rubella (41.1%). This is indicative of widespread viral transmission in the study population. In Nigeria, Rubella vaccine is not part of the routine immunization programme; this study can be used as a based line data to guide immunization strategy for this important viral disease. Given the serious impact of viral infection incasing congenital rubella syndrome, it is advisable to consider vaccination as a mode of prevention especially in adolescent girls.