Evaluation of Immunity against Rubella in Pregnant Women in Bangui, Central African Republic

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the immune status of pregnant women in Bangui.

Materials and Methods: This analytical retrospective study reviewed the medical records of pregnant patients who sought prenatal care at the maternity ward of the Bangui Community Hospital between January 2020 and December 2020. From January to June 2021, sociodemographic information as well as laboratory data (IgM and IgG) were gathered. It used the Chi2 test.

Results: A total of 289 pregnant women were analyzed. Women with an IgM+ response ac- counted for 4.15%. Those with an IgG+ were 14.87%. According to the distribution by age group, patients between the ages of 20 and 24 and 25 and under both had a rubella pro- file, indicating a persistent infection (p = 0.010). The age of the included women was 28 (6) years on average. For the full sample, the parity was 2.18 (1.93), on average. Pregnant women were not significantly more likely to contract the rubella virus at any age (p = 0.96; ORbrut = 1.03; CI95% = [0.32 - 3.34]). Both immunized and non-immunized individuals are similarly exposed [OR = 0.86; 95% IC95% =0.44 - 1.68] with no difference (p = 0.96).

Conclusion: Rubella infection is especially dangerous when it arises during pregnancy. To rule out the possibility of rubella embryopathy, all girls of reproductive age should be tested for immunization.