Prevalence of Mumps Virus IgG Antibodies among Children in Informal Settings of Bali Metropolis

Abstract

Mumps viral disease is characterised as an acute, highly infectious and communicable viral disease that is found worldwide and is also characterised by the inflammation of the parotid gland of either one or both salivary glands, aseptic meningitis, transient deafness, encephalitis, etc. In this study, Sero-prevalence of mumps virus IgG antibodies was determined from participants selected from informal settings in Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State. A questionnaire was administered to extract demographic data from the participants, which included age, gender, socioeconomic background, and vaccination history. A total number of 138 samples were collected, tested and analysed for statistical relationship. The participants were divided into three groups based on their socioeconomic background. They were also grouped into vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups based on their vaccination history. ELISA test kit was used in determining the sero-prevalence of the mumps virus IgG antibodies among the subjects investigated. A total of 37 participants were positive for mumps virus IgG antibodies. 12 out of the 37 positive participants were vaccinated against mumps virus disease, and 25 were not vaccinated. low-income earners recorded highest percentage of participants with mumps virus antibodies while the high-income earners group recorded the least group with the lowest percentage of participants positive for mumps virus antibodies. Male participants recorded the highest prevalence of mumps virus antibodies as compared to females. There was a statistically significant relationship between the sero-prevalence of the mumps virus IgG antibodies and the socioeconomic status of the participants (p > 0.05). Mumps virus sero-positivity increased with a decrease in socio-economic status. Vaccine-induced antibodies contributed to the Sero-positivity of the mumps virus antibodies in the samples of the participants investigated. Finally, in order to avoid mumps virus disease and its possible complications in children, children should be vaccinated against this disease before the age of two and mumps vaccine surveillance coverage should be put in place to monitor the vaccination program coverage in Taraba, particularly in Bali metropolis.