Prevalence of rubella IgG antibodies among pregnant women in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract 

Rubella is a vaccine-preventable viral infection which in pregnancy can lead to foetal wastage and congenital malformations. A rubella IgG serosurvey of 430 consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic was conducted at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria between 1 May 2007 and 29 February 2008. Questionnaires were also used to assess their level of awareness and pregnancy outcomes noted.

Of the 430 serum samples tested, 421 (97.9%) were positive and 9 (2.1%) were negative for rubella IgG antibody. Differences in sociodemographic factors were of little significance between the groups and awareness of the infection was low.

This high prevalence suggests that a sustained viral circulation exists in children and infection occurs early in infancy hence a high level of immunity exists in pregnant women with low levels of complications. In the absence of mass vaccination, all seronegative women should be vaccinated after delivery.

Keywords: Rubella IgG antibodies, pregnant women, Zaria, North Western Nigeria