A Comparative Cross Sectional Study on the Awareness and Attitude towards Rubella Vaccine among the Medical and Non-Medical Students of Trichy District, Tamil Nadu
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Introduction: Rubella virus when contracted by pregnant women, causes serious complications including rubella syndrome (CRS). Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common complication associated with CRS. In developing countries like India, the awareness towards rubella vaccine is minimal. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the awareness and attitudes of young females towards rubella vaccination. The study was carried out in female subjects from a medical college (n=100) and an arts college (n=100). Based on the previous literature, a questionnaire was developed and was distributed to the subjects after validity testing. There is a significance difference in the awareness level of rubella vaccine between the two groups. Majority of the non-medical students are unaware of the existence of rubella disease. Conclusion: The study reveals the lack of awareness programs about rubella disease in Tamilnadu. Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults. The synonyms of Rubella are German Measles, 3 day measles etc. The pathogenic agent is Rubella virus of the genus of Rubivirus and belongs to the family of Togaviridae. The transmission of the virus is by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough. Humans are the only known host. The symptoms include appearance of a rash all over the body, fever, swollen glands, joint pain, headache, conjunctivitis etc. Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause serious complications including fetal death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome. When a woman is infected with the rubella virus early in pregnancy, she has a 90% chance of passing the virus on to her fetus. Worldwide, an estimated 110 000 babies are born with CRS every year (WHO, 2007) [1- 4]. Some of the complications of CRS include miscarriage/still born baby, neonatal thrombocytopenia, low birth weight, severe heart disorders, autism, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, anemia, eye defects and hearing impairment. No specific treatment is available, but preventable with vaccination. Largescale rubella vaccination during the past decade has practically eliminated rubella and CRS in many developed and in some developing countries. The WHO Region of the Americas has had no endemic (naturally-transmitted) cases of rubella infection since 2009. (WHO, 2012) [5]. Sero-epidemiological studies in India have shown susceptibility of 20-46 per cent in women of child bearing age, hence it is necessary to prevent the infection among women of child bearing age. (WHO, 2012). The best way to prevent rubella and CRS is vaccination, which has been applied all over the world. About a third of the world’s countries still lack rubella vaccination programs including India.
Authors and Affiliations
Anna Vinu Varghese
Keywords
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- EP ID EP567135
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000116
- Views 183
- Downloads 0
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