SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF RUBELLA VIRUS INFECTION IN HIV POSITIVE WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE ATTENDING FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE

Abstract

Rubella infection, also known as German measles, is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs mostly
in children and young adults. It usually occurs as an acute infection which is mild in children but has serious
consequences in pregnant women as it causes Congenital Rubella Syndrome. It is a vaccine-preventable disease, but
developing countries like Nigeria are yet to commence routine vaccination against Rubella. This study evaluates the
seroprevalence of rubella antibodies in a HIV population of women of reproductive age of different socio-
demographics, along with certain predisposing factors to rubella infection. The cross-sectional surveillance was
carried out among 180 consenting HIV positive women between ages 15 – 49 years attending clinic at Federal Medical
Centre, Makurdi, in North Central Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information from the patients,
and the serum obtained from their blood samples was analysed for rubella IgG and IgM using ELISA technique.
Seroprevalence of the antibodies was analysed in association with factors such as age, marital status, parity, family
size, residence, educational and occupational status, knowledge, vaccination and disease history. Rubella antibody
seroprevalence of 85.6% and 22.8% was observed for IgG and IgM respectively, with a co-occurrence of 16.1%. Of
the total population, 7.8% was observed to be without any of the antibodies and as such were without immunity to
rubella. Educational status, history of miscarriage, and symptoms like lymphadenopathy were found to be statistically
significant in association with rubella antibody seroprevalence. The tendency of Rubella to be asymptomatic was also
established in this study. The high seroprevalence observed in this study suggests that Rubella is endemic in the study
area, with a sustained viral circulation at the time of study. This emphasizes the need for nationwide vaccination,
routine rubella screening, especially in the immunocompromised, and creation of better awareness on the disease and
its risks.