© 1982 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Rubella Seroepidemiology in Hawaii


*Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control Atlanta, Georgia, USA
University of Hawaii, School of Public Health Honolulu, Hawaii
Center for Prevention Services, Centers for Disease Control Atlanta, Georgia, USA
§Hawaii Department of Health Honolulu, Hawaii
Serdula M K (Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA), Joesoef M R, Curtis AC, Kobayashi G and Wiebenga H. Rubella seroepidemiology in Hawaii. International Journal of Epidemio-logy 1982, 11: 3138.
To determine rubella susceptibility levels 10 years after the introduction of the rubella vaccine in Hawaii, a largescale serosurvey was conducted in conjunction with a campaign to raise the immunity levels of adolescent and adult women. Each woman tested for rubella antibody was asked her age, ethnic group, migration history, number of siblings, vaccination history, and the occupation of the head of the household. In the period from September 1977 through June 1979, serum specimens acceptable for analysis were collected from 3 852 women; 23.8% were susceptible (haemagglutination inhibition antibody titre <8) to rubella.
A statistical analysis by fitting log-linear models revealed that rubella vaccination history, birthplace, ethnic group, number of siblings and island of residence appear to be factors related to rubella susceptibility. Although caution must be used in comparing this survey with previous surveys, the relatively low rubella susceptibility rate found in this survey may represent a true decrease in rubella susceptibility due to the rubella vaccination programme.
Received 11 June 1981