Rubella seroprevalence among pregnant women in the region of Rabat, Morocco: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present research is to update data on the seroprevalence of rubella and to identify the associated risk factors among pregnant women in the Rabat region of Morocco in order to take immediate action to monitor the virus. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted at Ibn Sina University Hospital and at referral healthcare centres in the region of Rabat. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 502 pregnant women (mean age 29.7±6.3 years, range 17–44 years) attending the maternity department during 8 months were selected for serological testing. OUTCOME MEASURES: A structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic, reproductive and clinical characteristics after obtaining written informed consent. Venous blood samples were collected to determine rubella-specific IgG antibodies using an automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (ARCHITECT i1000SR and i2000SR, Abbott Diagnostics). RESULTS: Antirubella IgG antibodies (≥10 IU/mL) were found in 408 (85.9%) pregnant women examined. The rate of susceptibility to rubella virus infection among pregnant women was found to be 14.1%. These protective rates were found to differ significantly between uneducated pregnant women (80.9%) and those with university-level education (95.5%) (p=0.02). Pregnant women in the 17–24, 25–34 and 35–44 years age groups accounted for 92.5%, 85.2% and 82.8%, respectively (p=0.015). Also, IgG seropositivity status was found to differ significantly between multiparous (83.3%) and primiparous (92.5%) pregnant women (p=0.01). None of the other characteristics was significantly associated with rubella infections. CONCLUSION: Vaccination programmes need to be updated to ensure that campaigns reach their specified goals. Thus, implementing an effective, large-scale screening programme for congenital rubella infection in different regions of Morocco is highly recommended. On the other hand, seronegative pregnant women should be given special preventive care and health education about rubella transmission and congenital rubella syndrome sequelae.