Evaluation of Rubella Virus Serological Markers among Antenatal Clients Attending Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Rubella virus infection is a global health challenge that is vaccine preventable. It is one of the leading infections implicated in congenital defects especially in low-income communities with poor health infrastructure. This study assessed the prevalence of rubella virus serological markers among pregnant women in the study area. Study Design: The current study was a cross-sectional design. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi Nasarawa State, Nigeria from May to October 2024. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 300 pregnant women attending antennal care at Federal Medical Center Keffi, Nigeria who consented to participate. Blood samples were collected through vein puncture. The blood samples were processed and analyzed using Rubella Rapid Diagnostic kit (Quindad High Top BioTech Co. Ltd. Hangzhou China). A structured questionnaire was used to inquire about social demographics and associated risk factors. Results: Of the 300 samples analysed, an overall seroprevalence of 2.7% was reported where IgM was 2.0%, and IgG 0.7%. The average age of the participants was 27.5 years, with those aged 26-35 years having the highest number of participants 136(45.3%), while those aged 46-55 years had the least 5(1.7%) with a significant association between the presence of rubella serum markers and age of the participants (P=0.05). Participants in their 2nd trimester had the highest prevalence 66.7%, although the age of the pregnancy was not a risk factor for the infection. Other probable risk factors studied were the number of people living in the same household, literacy level, parity, locality, history of blood transfusion and caesarian section, and all of them had no association with rubella virus infection (P>0.05). Conclusion: Rubella virus infection is preventable by effective use of vaccine. Vaccination programs including public awareness need to be scaled up in the study area to capture the population at risk and prevent its undesirable outcomes.