Rubella susceptibility in women of childbearing age.
OBJECTIVE
The major purpose of the study was to determine the number of rubella-susceptible women attending an urban family-planning clinic.


METHODS
A retrospective, descriptive survey was conducted of all new clients attending the clinic over a 3-month period.


METHODS
A family-planning clinic located in a small city in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The clinic offers primary health care to women of childbearing age.


METHODS
The 325 clients involved in the study were young women (mean age = 20 years) from racially diverse backgrounds.


METHODS
Educational programs for both the health-care provider and the consumer regarding rubella susceptibility are necessary. Rubella screening and re-immunization also must be a major focus of nursing care.


METHODS
Hematologic screening for rubella immunity.


RESULTS
Of the 325 clients surveyed, 35, or 10.7%, were found to be susceptible to rubella.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rubella is usually a mild disease for the women it infects, it can have devastating consequences for their offspring if women are infected during their 1st trimester of pregnancy. The study found a sufficient number of women susceptible to rubella to warrant screening for all women of childbearing age.
Eisele
C J
CJ
Stockton State College, Pomona, NJ 08240.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003625:Data Collection; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007110:Immunity, Active; D008403:Mass Screening; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D009108:Mumps Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D009732:Nursing Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012409:Rubella / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D009108:Mumps Vaccine; D012411:Rubella Vaccine