STUDY OF VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED MEASLES PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Measles is a major killer in children worldwide. Immunization has a main role in reduction of morbidity and mortality of the disease. The objective of this study was to compare the gender, age distribution, and hospital stay in vaccinated and unvaccinated measles patients.
Material & Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted Department of Pediatrics, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from April 2012 to March 2013. A total of 566 admitted cases of measles were enrolled. Immune compromised children and children who developed measles within 4 weeks of measles vaccination were excluded. Gender, age in years, and age grouping were demographic variables while hospital stay was research variable. Age was a ratio variable and was analyzed by mean + SD, minimum and maximum. All the other variables were categorical and were analyzed by number and percentages.
Results: Out of 566 patients with measles, 310(54.80%) were males and 256(45.20%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The mean age of the sample was 3.18±2.16 (1-14) years. Out of total 566 patients, 211(39%) were vaccinated and 345(61%) were unvaccinated. Unvaccinated children had longer hospital stay as compared to vaccinated patients.
Conclusion: Measles is not uncommon in children despite vaccination. Its prevalence is higher in younger males. Hospital stay in unvaccinated children is longer than the vaccinated ones.