Seroprevalence of rubella antibodies among a selected sample of women of childbearing age inSana'a, Yemen

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and susceptibility rate of rubella virus infection among women of childbearing age in Sana'a, Yemen. a two stage sampling method was used to conduct a cases-sectional survey. Individuals were chosen randomly from selected sample units of adult females. A total of 482 women were included. the prevalence rate of rubella IgG antibody measured by ELISA technique was 94.6%. The overall susceptibility rate was 5.4% with a significantly increased susceptibility in younger age groups. despite the lack of a rubella vaccination program in Yemen, a high percentage of women are exposed to the wild virus through natural transmission by the time they reach adolescence. The seronegative female, however, may be at high risk of contracting the virus during pregnancy and exposing the fetus to the possibility of congenital rubella syndrome. It is recommended that rubella screening should be a part of the routine investigation in family planning centers