Rubella Immune Status of Child Bearing Age Women

Objective: To determine the Rubella immune status of child bearing age women irrespective of marital status, parity and pregnant status who are visiting to Gynae and Obstetrics Department of Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, from 21st July 2005 to 20th January 2007. Methodology: All women between the age group of 15-35 years irrespective of marital status, parity and pregnant status and with no past history of rubella immunization were included while women with immune disorders like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and women on immunosuppressive therapy were excluded. Blood samples of the women were collected on their first outpatient department visit, after taking informed consent and tested for rubella Ig G antibodies by using Micro Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA) technique. 50% discount on the test cost was provided to the patient by the hospital. All relevant features like women’s age, marital status, parity and rubella antibody levels were recorded on proforma and analyzed by using SPSS version-11. Results: Total105 women were incorporated in the study. Majority of women were married i.e. (91.4%), nulliparous women (40.0%), commonest age group was 21-25 years (38.1%). Mean of Ig G level of Rubella in the females was 85.0±55.47 ranging from 1 to 253. Among 105 women, 95 women (90.5%) were immune to rubella. Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that majority of the studied population appeared to possess protective levels of Rubella Ig G antibodies. Screening for the protective immunity appears always to be necessity for future protection against reinfection.