Seroprevalence of Rubella Virus Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria

Rubella is an acute infectious disease caused by rubella virus (RUBV). Rubella virus infection remains one of the major global public health problems, especially in developing countries causing 100 000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) every year. However, data on this subject matter is scarce in the study area. This study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of rubella virus among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State. It was a descriptive, cross sectional and hospital based study. A total of 276 pregnant women participated in the study. Information on bio-data, socio-demographic characteristics and medical history of the participants and risk factors were obtained via a structured questionnaire and hospital records. Blood samples were analysed for RUBV IgG and IgM antibody using ELISA method. The data generated were analysed using SPSS for window version 20.0. An overall rubella IgM prevalence of 32.25% was obtained in the study. Two (0.73%) participants were positive to only rubella IgM antibody, 58.33% to only rubella IgG antibody and 31.52% to both IgM and IgG antibodies. The result of the study showed that there was no statistical relationship between the tested socio-demographical parameters and reproductive characters. Rubella virus incidence among pregnant women in this study area was high; this indicates the need for public enlightenment campaign on possible mode of prevention and control to limit the spread of the disease and its associated morbidity and mortality.