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. 2013 Jan;56(1):58-64.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.22046. Epub 2012 Mar 29.

Prevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella susceptibility among health science students in a University in India

G Arunkumar  1 , K E Vandana, Nalini Sathiakumar
Affiliations

Prevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella susceptibility among health science students in a University in India

G Arunkumar et al. Am J Ind Med. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Health science students (HSS) are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting viral diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of susceptibility of HSS to these infections.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 790 HSS of Manipal University, Manipal, India, answered a questionnaire and provided a blood sample which was tested for specific IgG antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella by ELISA (Enzygnost(®)).

Results: The study group was comprised of medical (53.9%), nursing (16.6%), and allied health (29.5%) students. Among the overall group (n = 790), the prevalence of serological susceptibility to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella were 9.5%, 32.0%, 16.6%, and 25.8%, respectively. Among the subgroup of vaccinated subjects, susceptibility to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella were 7.9%, 34.7%, 10.7%, and 35.2%, respectively.

Conclusion: HSS susceptible to measles, mumps, rubella, and/or varicella are at risk of acquiring these diseases during their training period. In addition, they may be a potential source for nosocomial transmission posing a risk to immunocompromised patients. Hence, in the Indian setting, HSS should be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella at the time of joining the medical school.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Susceptibility of HSS to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella according to age in years
Figure 2
Figure 2
Susceptibility of HSS to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella according to their length of stay in the campus in years
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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