Seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibody in pregnant women in yaounde, Cameroon

Background: Rubella is an acute infectious disease that normally has a mild clinical course. Rubella Virus infection among pregnant women vary widely troughout causes severe birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome. In Cameroon, rubella vaccination is not included in the national immunization schedule and there is not therefore no antenatal screening for this viral disease. This study was undertaken to establish the sero-positivity rate of rubella among pregnant women attending antenal care hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods: From July 2013 to April 2014, a total of 400 pregnant women were enrolled and their serum samples collected and analyzed using the Architec anti-rubella virus IgG test. Data analysis was done using Statistical Analysis System (SAS version 9.1). Result: An overall seropositivity rate of 91.75% (367/400) was found, with a higher percentage in the urban population and in the oldest age group. None of the possible risk factors studied were significantly associated with infection. None of the women ever had previous rubella vaccination. Conclusion: The prevalence of rubella IgG antibody among pregnant (91.75%) was high in the absence of routine vaccination suggesting a continuous transmission of endemic rubella virus in Cameroon.