Prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers in a community-based antenatal clinic in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
routine rubella antibody screening is not done for antenatal mothers in community health clinics in Malaysia. However, congenital rubella syndrome has persisted with its associated health burden.


OBJECTIVE
to determine the prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers and its associated risk factors.


METHODS
a cross-sectional study was carried out in the Petaling district, Selangor, Malaysia, where 500 pregnant mothers were recruited, and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Rubella IgG tests were performed.


RESULTS
the prevalence of rubella susceptibility among pregnant mothers was 11.4%. Using logistic regression, a history of not having received rubella vaccination or having unknown rubella vaccination status was found to be a significant predictor for mothers to be rubella susceptible (odds ratio = 2.691; 95% confidence interval = 1.539-4.207).


CONCLUSIONS
routine rubella IgG screening tests need to be offered to all antenatal mothers in view of the high prevalence found.
Ai Theng Cheong
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. caitheng@gmail.com
Ee Ming Khoo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012410:Rubella Syndrome, Congenital / Q000517:prevention & control*