Rubella and measles seroprevalence among women of childbearing age, Argentina, 2002.
To assess rubella and measles susceptibility among women of childbearing age we conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study in four cities and one rural area in Argentina. A convenience sample of women aged 15-49 years seeking care in public health-care institutions was selected (n=2804). Serum specimens were tested for rubella and measles IgG antibody titres. The overall susceptibility to rubella and measles was 8.8 and 12.5% respectively. Seroprevalence differences were found for both rubella (P<0.001) and measles (P=0.002) across sites. Rubella seroprevalence was higher in women aged >or=40 years than in younger women (P=0.04). Measles seroprevalence tended to increase with age (P<0.001). Approximately 15% of women aged 15-29 years were not immune to measles. No risk factors were associated with rubella seronegativity; however, age (P<0.001) and having less than four pregnancies (P<0.001) were factors associated with measles seronegativity. Our findings support the introduction of supplemental immunization activities targeting adolescents and young adults to prevent congenital rubella syndrome and measles outbreaks over time.
Dayan
G H
GH
Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gdayan@cdc.gov
Panero
M S
MS
Urquiza
A
A
Molina
M
M
Prieto
S
S
Del Carmen Perego
M
M
Scagliotti
G
G
Galimberti
D
D
Carroli
G
G
Wolff
C
C
Bi
D
D
Bellini
W
W
Icenogle
J
J
Reef
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008457:Measles / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012409:Rubella / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G