Seroprevalence of rubella antibodies in girls aged less than 18 years and associated risk factors

Rubella infection is most devastating to the women of reproductive age group and can cause wide range of congenital malformation and even death and abortion when infected during pregnancy. The present study was a cross sectional study to estimate the sero-prevalence of Rubella amongst girls aged <18 years and to determine the risk factors involved in rubella seroprevalence. It was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics and Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, A.M.U, Aligarh between November 2010 to October 2012. The study included 405 girls of age group of 1-18 years who were selected from the OPD and wards of JN Medical College, Aligarh. Girls were divided in 4 groups as per age at the time of blood sampling. Blood samples were then analysed for Rubella specific IgG antibody. Overall seropositivity of Rubella in the study population was 68.2% and the susceptibility was 31.2%. Mean antibody titre of the population was 12.97 ± 6.7. Rubella seropositivity and mean antibody titre increases with age and similarly susceptibility decreases. Only anthropometric parameter which was related statistically to rubella seroprevalence was mid upper arm circumference; seropositivity was higher in those with MUAC < 11.5cm and was also associated with rubella seroprevalence. Seropositivity was much higher in school going children than non-school going children. Overcrowding and inadequate ventilation was also found to be associated with rubella Lower socio economic class was found to be significantly associated with rubella.