Rubella Seroprevalence in Korean Children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determe the age-specific rubella seroprevalence and the related factors in Korean children. Subjects of the study were 5,393 students from 8 elementary schools in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Questionnaire surveys with blood sampling were conducted in 1993, 1996, and 1999. ELISA tests, used to detect rubella specific IgG antibody, were Imx (Abbott, U.S.A.) in 1993 and 1999, and Enzygnost (Behring, Germany) in 1996. The age-adjusted rubella susceptibility rate was 22.9% (95% CI: 22.8-23.0%) and it increased with age from 14% to 28%. The susceptibility rates of vaccinees, nonvaccinees, and the unknown group were 21%, 35%, and 27%, respectively (p=0.000). The rates by parental education levels for elementary and below, middle school, high school, and college and over were 37%, 26%, 24%, and 20%, respectively. The geometric mean titers (GMTs) of nonvaccinees, the unknown group, and vaccinees were 47 IU/mL, 42 IU/mL, and 37 IU/mL, respectively (p=0.000). The susceptibility level was too high to prevent the rubella epidemic in Korea, which necessitates a programme that will enhance the coverage for 1st and 2nd MMR vaccination among school children. In particular, more attention should be paid to the vaccination of the children whose parental education level is relatively low.

Rubella seroprevalence among primary and pre- primary school pupils at Moi's Bridge location, Uasin Gishu District, Kenya

“…This is indicative of widespread viral transmission in the study population. Increasing seropositivity with age can be explained by the complex effect of natural disease exposure over time [ 10 ]. The rates found in this study are comparable to those found by other investigators in non-vaccinating countries and it compares well with a previous study carried out in India where the rate was 86.5% [ 11 ].…”

“…The finding implied that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds got infected much earlier in life compared to their counterparts who lived in better conditions in the same area and even attended the same schools. The likely reason for increased risk among low socioeconomic group can be attributed to crowding and this has been cited elsewhere [ 10 , 14 ]. It is therefore important that during development of rubella control policy in Kenya a good strategy geared towards lower socio-economic groups be given priority as these groups are more vulnerable.…”

Rubella sero-prevalence among children in Kilimanjaro region: a community based study prior to the introduction of rubella vaccine in Tanzania

“…Manirakiza and colleagues in a Central African study reported no gender differences in rubella sero-prevalence; however, they did report an increase in rubella sero-prevalence with increasing age [27]. Similarly, Ki and colleagues reported an increase in sero-prevalence with increasing child age in a study among Korean children [35]. A study in Mwanza, Tanzania conducted by Mirambo et al, found that, rural residence and child age were statistically significant associated factors for rubella infection [24].…”

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“…Knowledge of age-specific rubella immunity, especially the rate of women of childbearing age who are susceptible to rubella, is an essential element to manage an efficient rubella vaccination program. A very efficient vaccine has been available since 1969 and vaccination programs have greatly reduced the incidence of rubella and congenital malformations in developed countries [2,3].…”

“…A very efficient vaccine has been available since 1969 and vaccination programs have greatly reduced the incidence of rubella in developed countries [2,3].…”