European Journal of Public Health
Volume 17, Issue 6, 2007, Pages 560-564

Rubella immune status of indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Catalonia, Spain (Article) (Open Access)

Dominguez A.* , Plans P. , Espuñes J. , Costa J. , Torner N. , Cardeñosa N. , Plasencia A. , Salleras L.
  • a Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain, Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Directorate of Public Health, Department of Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Travessera de les Corts 131-159, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
  • b Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
  • c Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
  • d Department of Microbiology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
  • e Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
  • f Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
  • g Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
  • h Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of rubella antibodies in representative samples of pregnant women in Catalonia. Methods: A representative sample of pregnant women in Catalonia was obtained by random sampling by clusters (hospitals with maternity units) stratified by provinces. Blood was obtained from the umbilical cord at childbirth in 1538 women (of whom 308 were immigrants) and was tested for rubella antibodies by ELISA (Enzime-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: The global prevalence of antibodies was 93.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 93.3-93.5] and was significantly higher in indigenous women (94.9;95%CI:93.3-95.9) compared with immigrants [89.0; 95%CI: 85.5-92.5 (P < 0. 0001)] with crude Odds ratio (OR) of 2.15 (95%CI: 1.40-3.32).The prevalence was higher in women living in rural habitats (97%) and those in higher social classes (96.3%); OR 2.54 (95%CI: 1.22-5.30) and 2.17 (95%CI: 1.24-3.81), respectively. Conclusion: Fertile female immigrants from countries with no vaccination or where vaccination coverage is low should be actively approached for vaccination to reduce the risk of infection and congenital rubella. © The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Immigrant Rubella Pregnant women Vaccination

Index Keywords

maternal care immigrant Antibodies, Viral Rubella virus randomization human immigration Population Groups priority journal statistical significance Confidence interval congenital rubella syndrome Humans Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female enzyme linked immunosorbent assay umbilical cord pregnancy prevalence Article Questionnaires adult major clinical study Fetal Blood rubella social class vaccination immune status rubella antibody
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-37249005871&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fckm034&partnerID=40&md5=1082febe27230b23423cb7f8a0f067db
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckm034
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English