Prevalence of Rubella IgG Antibodies among Pregnant Women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Rubella virus is the cause of the communicable viral infection that can affect the foetus causing foetal loss or congenital rubella syndrome. Plasma samples from 180 pregnant women attending tertiary hospitals in River State, Nigeria were examined randomly to evaluate the prevalence of rubella virus (RubV) IgG antibodies. Study Design:  Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) now Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) between September 2015 and August 2017. Methods: The sample of this study was composed of 180 pregnant women. ELISA was used to detect the RubV IgG antibodies and prevalence was correlated with sociodemographic factors. Results: The study result revered that 155(86.1%) were positive for RubV IgG while 25(13.9%) were negative for RubV IgG. Of the 90 samples examined from BMSH, 71(78.9%) were IgG-positive. From UPTH, 84(93.3%) were positive for RubV IgG. The highest (100%) seropositivity for RubV IgG was found in age groups 39-43 years.  No RubV IgG was recorded in age groups 44-48 years.  Women in their third trimester had the highest prevalence of RubV IgG antibodies (94.7%). Those with secondary education had the highest prevalence of RubV IgG (93.4%). Vaccinated pregnant women had the highest prevalence (87.4%). Among the variables evaluated, education (p=0.023), occupation (p=0.040), marital status (p=0.001) and vaccination history (p=0.005) were the main correlates in this study. Conclusions: This study has shown evidence of immunity among expectant mothers in this study (86.1%) with 13.9% being vulnerable to rubella virus infection. Completion of adequate rubella vaccination along intensified surveillance of the vulnerable population remains the keystone for the control of congenital rubella syndrome in Nigeria.