Vaccination Status in Children presenting with severe complicated Measles

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background:  Measles occurs worldwide and remains a leading cause of mortality especially among children ≤5 years of age. Present study will determine this association in our local population.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of unvaccinated children in patients presenting with severe Measles.

Material and Methods: After permission from Hospital ethical committee. Total 145 patients of severe measles were enrolled, and frequency of unvaccinated children was noted. This study was conducted in Children Ward, Women & Children Hospital,  MTI Bannu from  October 2022 to  April 2023. The results obtained were presented in the form of tables and graphs and level of significance was determined statistically.

Results: In our study, total 145 patients were enrolled. Mean age of patients was 7.07±2.3 years. Minimum age was 3 years and maximum age was 12 years. There were 46.2% males and 53.8% female patients. Most of patients belonged to middle socioeconomic status i.e. 57.2. Regarding maternal education 50.3% were having 6-10 years of education, 20.9% had less than 5 years of education, 16.6% had 11-12 years of education while only 4.1% had more than 12 years of education. In our study participants 47.6% lived in urban area and 52.4% lived in rural area. There were 66.2% unvaccinated children and 33.8% were vaccinated. Data stratification for age group, BMI, residential status and socioeconomic status was significant i.e. p-value≤ 0.05.

Conclusion: Severe measles infections are prevalent among unvaccinated children due to their susceptibility to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Vaccination remains the most effective measure to prevent measles outbreaks and safeguard public health.