Survey on Awareness of Rubella Vaccine among College Girls

Background: The Rubella virus is classified under the Arbovirus. It commonly affects children of age less than 10 years. In an adult, it mostly remains as a latent infection. Its persistence in an adult is more significant in a woman's life especially after adolescence, in the childbearing age. It is a factor commonly associated with infertility in a woman and congenital malformation. Latent infections in women will also lead to abortion. It is recommended by WHO that all women at childbearing age should be given a booster dose before the age of 18. In a country like India, rubella infection in women leads to social and mental issues. Thus the awareness among the girls at the age of 18 is imperative.

Methods: This survey was conducted among the 100 undergraduate students and postgraduate students at saveetha dental college from December, 2019 to January,2020. They were given a questionnaire to know about the rubella viral infection and the issues related to infertility. The results were collected and then analyzed through SPSS software. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out and the chi-square test was used and the p-value was calculated.

Results: The survey reveals that many girls are aware of the rubella vaccine but not its benefits in preventing rubella virus infection and its complications. Among them 50% girls have knowledge about the significance of rubella infection in young adults, 22% among them are aware of female infertility is also related to poor rubella immunity, 42% are aware of congenital malformation are common in rubella, 30% girls answered that rubella vaccine at our teenage will prevent infertility issues.

Conclusion: It is also found that the information they have on the consequence of the persistence of rubella in them is abstract. The real impact on their life is not understood by many. This is evident with their willingness to get immunized at the risky part of their life. This can be mitigated by conducting regular awareness camps in schools, colleges, and their workplace.