INTRODUCTION: routine rubella antibody screening is not done for antenatal mothers in community health clinics in Malaysia. However, congenital rubella syndrome has persisted with its associated health burden. OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers and its associated risk factors. METHODOLOGY: a cross-sectional study was carried out in the Petaling district, Selangor, Malaysia, where 500 pregnant mothers were recruited, and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Rubella IgG tests were performed. RESULTS: the prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers was 11.4%. Using logistic regression, a history of not having received rubella vaccination or having unknown rubella vaccination status was found to be a significant predictor for mothers to be rubella susceptible (odds ratio = 2.691; 95% confidence interval = 1.539-4.207). CONCLUSIONS: routine rubella IgG screening tests need to be offered to all antenatal mothers in view of the high prevalence found.
INTRODUCTION: routine rubella antibody screening is not done for antenatal mothers in community health clinics in Malaysia. However, congenital rubella syndrome has persisted with its associated health burden. OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers and its associated risk factors. METHODOLOGY: a cross-sectional study was carried out in the Petaling district, Selangor, Malaysia, where 500 pregnant mothers were recruited, and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Rubella IgG tests were performed. RESULTS: the prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers was 11.4%. Using logistic regression, a history of not having received rubella vaccination or having unknown rubella vaccination status was found to be a significant predictor for mothers to be rubella susceptible (odds ratio = 2.691; 95% confidence interval = 1.539-4.207). CONCLUSIONS: routine rubella IgG screening tests need to be offered to all antenatal mothers in view of the high prevalence found.
Authors: Prasad Palani Velu; Courtney A Gravett; Tom K Roberts; Thor A Wagner; Jian Shayne F Zhang; Craig E Rubens; Michael G Gravett; Harry Campbell; Igor Rudan Journal: J Glob Health Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 4.413