Abdul Wahhab Mohammed Kamil Jawad
Baghdad Medical University, Iraq
Title: Epidemiological characteristics of under-five measles cases at Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Province, Iraq: 2006-2018
Biography
Biography: Abdul Wahhab Mohammed Kamil Jawad
Abstract
Introduction & Aim: Measles is a highly contagious disease and it is one of leading causes of death among young children. In Iraq, extensive efforts are in place to achieve measles elimination but still sporadic cases and limited outbreaks continued to occur. The main objective of the study is to describe epidemiological characteristics of under five years measles cases in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Province, Iraq, 2006-2018.
Method: Review of surveillance records of all suspected measles cases reported to Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Directorate of Health from 2006 to 2018. Basic demographic data, vaccination status and lab results were sought.
Results: Total suspected measles cases during this period was 418; 196 (47%) were males; median age was 24 months; and 219 (52%) live in urban areas. Only 201 (48%) had at least one dose of measles vaccine; 112 (56%) of vaccinated children live in urban area. Lab results were available for all the cases, 202 (48%) were measles IgM positive. Of the lab confirmed cases, 105 (52%) lived in rural area and 158 (78%) reported in 2009. Comparing lab confirmed cases with others, unvaccination to measles vaccine was the only statistically significant risk factor (P=0.001; odds ratio=1.87; 95% CI: 1.27- 2.75).
Conclusion: Although this is not a vaccine coverage survey, but we found that measles vaccine coverage is extremely low that increase risk of outbreaks. Improvement of routine immunization coverage and intensified measles campaign are recommended.