Rubella seroprevalance among the girls (aged 7-15) in the primary-school period living in low and high socio-economic areas in Denizli, Turkey
Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, vol.26, no.4, pp.905-908, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 26 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2010
- Journal Name: Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.905-908
- Keywords: Primary school girls, Rubella, Seroprevalance, Socio-economic class
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective: Immunity against rubella before women's reproductive age is a practical strategy to control congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). This study was designed to investigate the rubella seroprevalance among the female primary-school students living in low and high socio-economic areas in Denizli (Turkey). Methodology: Two hundred seventy seven students were eligible for this comparative cross-sectional study (November 2003). Schools and classrooms were randomly included in the sample. The cut off points of blood sample were set as <10 IU negative; 310 - <15 IU indeterminate; 315 IU positive. Results: Study was completed in 235 (84.8%) students. Rubella seropositivity was 74.0% (p=0.03). Rubella vaccination rate was 14.0% (high SES) and 7.8% (low SES). A significant difference continued among the graders even after multivariable adjustments (p<0.001). Conclusion: Sporadic rubella vaccinations may not be a right option to control rubella among women in their reproductive age thus active immunization is important for public health in developing countries.