Rubella susceptibility of immigrant pregnant women in Catalonia

Background and objective: Considering recent outbreaks of rubella in immigrant population in Madrid (Spain), we investigated the proportion of rubella susceptibility in immigrant women in Catalonia, Spain. Patients and method: Seroprevalence study in pregnant women of the immigrant community. Information of demographic possible risk factors associated to rubella susceptibility was collected. Results: Five hundred and ninety four women were included. The global prevalence of susceptibility was 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2-14.5%). African women showed the highest susceptibility (17%; 95% CI, 10.5-25.2%). Age younger than 25 years was a risk factor statistically associated with rubella susceptibility (adjusted odds ratio=3.02; 95% CI, 1.09-8.35). Conclusions: Rubella susceptibility in pregnant women from low income countries is 10 times higher than that of Catalonian native women. © 2007 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.