The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on April 18, 2007
The European Journal of Public Health 2007 17(6):560-564; doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckm034
Migrant Health |
Rubella immune status of indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Catalonia, Spain
Angela Dominguez1,3, Pere Plans1, Jordi Espuñes1, Josep Costa2, Nuria Torner1, Neus Cardeñosa1, Antoni Plasencia1 and Lluís Salleras3
1 Directorate of Public Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
2 Department of Microbiology. Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
3 Department of Public Health. University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Correspondence: Angela Dominguez, Directorate of Public Health, Department of Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Travessera de les Corts 131–159, 08029 Barcelona, Spain, tel: 34 93 227 2951, e-mail: angela.dominguez{at}gencat.net
Received October 19, 2005 , accepted March 19, 2007
Background: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of rubella antibodies in representative samples of pregnant women in Catalonia. Methods: A representative sample of pregnant women in Catalonia was obtained by random sampling by clusters (hospitals with maternity units) stratified by provinces. Blood was obtained from the umbilical cord at childbirth in 1538 women (of whom 308 were immigrants) and was tested for rubella antibodies by ELISA (Enzime-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: The global prevalence of antibodies was 93.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 93.3–93.5] and was significantly higher in indigenous women (94.9;95%CI:93.3–95.9) compared with immigrants [89.0; 95%CI: 85.5–92.5 (P < 0. 0001)] with crude Odds ratio (OR) of 2.15 (95%CI: 1.40–3.32).The prevalence was higher in women living in rural habitats (97%) and those in higher social classes (96.3%); OR 2.54 (95%CI: 1.22–5.30) and 2.17 (95%CI: 1.24–3.81), respectively. Conclusion: Fertile female immigrants from countries with no vaccination or where vaccination coverage is low should be actively approached for vaccination to reduce the risk of infection and congenital rubella.
Keywords: immigrant, pregnant women, rubella, vaccination
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