Epidemiological evaluation of rubella virus infection among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Author and article information
Abstract
Rubella is a vaccine-preventable, mild rash-inducing viral disease with complications that include a spectrum of birth defects in the developing foetus, especially if the infection is acquired in the early months of pregnancy. Consequently, the primary objective of global rubella control programmes is prevention of congenital rubella infection and associated birth defects often collectively referred to as CRS. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, and elimination of rubella virus in many developed countries, substantial commitment to rubella control has not been demonstrated in the developing countries. This study appraises immunity to rubella, and consequently makes appropriate recommendations aimed at facilitating effective control. A cross-sectional sero-surveillance study was carried out among 272 consenting ante-natal clinic attendees in southwestern, Nigeria. Prevalence rates of 91.54% and 1.84% were recorded for anti-rubella virus (anti-RV) IgG and IgM respectively. Also, 90.7% and 92.3% of the women aged ≤ 30 years and ˃ 30 years respectively had detectable anti-RV IgG. No significant association (p=0.94) was recorded between anti-RV IgG detection and age of the women. Previous exposure and susceptibility of significant fraction of the population to rubella infection were confirmed. Considerable political commitment and promotion of free rubella immunization specifically for women of childbearing potential were recommended.
Cite this as
2014. Epidemiological evaluation of rubella virus infection among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria. PeerJ PrePrints 2:e613v1 https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.613v1note This preprint is not peer-reviewed. You may wish to reference the subsequent peer-reviewed version of this article.
Sections
Supplemental Information
Additional Information
Competing Interests
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
Author Contributions
Olubusuyi M Adewumi conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, wrote the paper, prepared figures and/or tables.
Adebowale O. Olayinka performed the experiments, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Babatunde A. Olusola performed the experiments, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Temitope O.C. Faleye performed the experiments, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Waidi F. Sule analyzed the data, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Olubukola Adesina reviewed drafts of the paper.
Human Ethics
The following information was supplied relating to ethical approvals (i.e., approving body and any reference numbers):
UI/UCH Ethics Committee (UI/EC/11/0058) and Oyo State Ministry of Health (AD3/479/349).
Funding
This work was partly funded by the University of Ibadan Senate Research Grant (SRG/COM/2010/14A) awarded to Dr. M.O. Adewumi. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
