Rubella seroprevalance among the girls [aged 7-15] in the primary-school period living in low and high socio-economic areas in Denizli, Turkey

ABSTRACT

Immunity against rubella before women's reproductive age is a practical strategy to control congenital rubella syndrome [CRS]. This study was designed to investigate the rubella seroprevalance among the female primary-school students living in low and high socio-economic areas in Denizli [Turkey]. Two hundred seventy seven students were eligible for this comparative cross-sectional study [November 2003]. Schools and classrooms were randomly included in the sample. The cut off points of blood sample were set as <10 IU negative; [3]10 - <15 IU indeterminate; [3]15 IU positive. Study was completed in 235 [84.8%] students. Rubella seropositivity was 74.0% [p=0.03]. Rubella vaccination rate was 14.0% [high SES] and 7.8% [low SES]. A significant difference continued among the graders even after multivariable adjustments [p<0.001]. Sporadic rubella vaccinations may not be a right option to control rubella among women in their reproductive age thus active immunization is important for public health in developing countries