Rubella virus infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinics of public hospitals in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the seroprevalence of recent/acute and past exposure to rubella virus infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women.

Design

A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted in two public hospitals in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia.

Participants

A total of 422 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics were selected using a systematic random sampling technique from March to June 2016.

Outcome measures

Data on sociodemography and related factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were also collected from each study participant and tested for antirubella IgM and IgG antibodies using ELISA. IgG seropositivity indicates past exposure to rubella (protective immunity). IgM

SUBMITTER: Tamirat B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5640054 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature