ABSTRACT
This study was designed to determine the age-specific rubella seroprevalence in women of childbearing age in Morocco and to contribute to the development of a rubella vaccination strategy in the country. Of 967 women aged 15-39 years tested in 2000, 161 (16.6%) were susceptible to rubella based on absence of IgG antibodies. A significantly higher rate of susceptibility among women aged 15-19 years was observed (29.3%) compared with age 35-39 years (8.3%). An estimated 77,562 live births occur annually to rubella-susceptible women. No statistical difference in seroprevalence was seen between women in rural and urban areas (81.5% and 85.0% respectively). A substantial risk of rubella infection exists for Moroccan women of childbearing age.
Subject(s)
Rubella/epidemiology , Women's Health , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Infant, Newborn , Likelihood Functions , Morocco/epidemiology , Needs Assessment , Reproductive Medicine/statistics & numerical data , Risk Factors , Rubella/blood , Rubella/congenital , Rubella/immunology , Rubella/prevention & control , Rubella virus/immunology , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sex Distribution , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , VaccinationABSTRACT
This study was designed to determine the age-specific rubella seroprevalence in women of childbearing age in Morocco and to contribute to the development of a rubella vaccination strategy in the country. Of 967 women aged 15-39 years tested in 2000, 161 [16.6%] were susceptible to rubella based on absence of IgG antibodies. A significantly higher rate of susceptibility among women aged 15-19 years was observed [29.3%] compared with age 35-39 years [8.3%]. An estimated 77 562 live births occur annually to rubella-susceptible women. No statistical difference in seroprevalence was seen between women in rural and urban areas [81.5% and 85.0% respectively]. A substantial risk of rubella infection exists for Moroccan women of childbearing age
