Abstract

MORA-GARCIA, Gustavo J; RAMOS-CLASON, Enrique; MAZENETT, Enrique  and  GOMEZ-CAMARGO, Doris. The seroprevalence IgG antibodies against rubella (German measles) in 10-49 year-old women from Cartagena, Colombia. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2011, vol.13, n.2, pp.288-297. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective Determining immunoglobulin G (IgG) against the rubella virus (RV) causing German measles in Cartagena and whether vaccination goals against German measles have been achieved. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out during 2009; females aged 10-49 years were included. Selection was randomised. Socio-demographic variables were recorded in face-to-face interviews. IgG against RV was detected by ELISA. X2 and Fisher's exact tests were used for comparing variables. A logistic regression model was used for correlating data. Results A total of 1,528 serum samples were analysed; 93 % (n=1,422) were seropositive. The lowest seropositivity was reported in girls aged 10-14. Differences regarding seroprevalence percentages were statistically significant between age ranges (p<0.001) and employment (p=0.042). A high risk of seronegativity was reported for girls aged 10-14 (OR=0.27; p<0.001). Conclusions Seroprevalence goals against RV had not been reached in Cartagena and new cases of rubella (German measles) or congenital rubella (German measles)syndrome are still possible in the area. These findings revealed that no significant progress had been made since 2006 when German measles vaccine coverage was 90 %-95 %. High risk in girls aged 10-14 suggests that the local immunisation programme fails in MMR vaccine administration.

Keywords : Rubella; sero-epidemiological studies; Colombia; Caribbean region.

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