Seroprevalence of Rubella Virus Antibodies and Antibody Titer Among Childbearing Aged Women

Introduction: Rubella is a viral infection that poses a significant public health threat, particularly to women of childbearing age. Maternal rubella infection, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, can lead to congenital rubella syndrome resulting in severe birth defects including deafness, cardiac disease, intellectual disability, and ocular conditions. Despite the significant decline of cases globally, rubella remains a global health concern, especially in regions such as Africa, East Asia, and South Asia. The aim of this research is to provide new data for the seroprevalence of rubella antibodies and antibody titers among childbearing-aged women studying or working at the Libyan International University, and to assess the need for a booster dose of MMR vaccine. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of rubella virus-specific antibodies and antibody titers in the serum of 166 women of childbearing age (16–45 years) using chemiluminescent immunoassay. The samples were collected using a convenience sampling approach. Statistical analyses were performed using a chi-square test and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: The overall seroprevalence of rubella-specific IgG-positive antibodies was 86.7%, while 6% were IgG-negative and 7.2% were IgG-equivocal. Seroprevalence increased with age, reaching 100% in the 36–45 years age group. Only 0.6% were positive for rubella-specific IgM antibodies. Conclusion: These findings suggest relatively high immunity against rubella in this population, though a significant proportion remain unprotected. This may guide decision makers regarding implementation of relevant public health strategies and vaccination programs.