Conference abstract
Trends of measles cases and vaccination status - Eenhana, Namibia, 2012-2016
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:3(100).29
Oct 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.3.100.210
Archived on: 29 Oct 2017
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Measles, vaccination, cross-sectional study
Oral presentation
Trends of measles cases and vaccination status - Eenhana, Namibia, 2012-2016
Loide Ndimulunde1, Kofi Nyarko1,&
1Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Windhoek, Namibia
&Corresponding author
Kofi Nyarko, Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Windhoek, Namibia
Introduction: measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It typically begins with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Globally, measles is a major public health concern especially to under 5 years and pregnant woman. Namibia is one of the countries in Africa that have and still experiencing Measles outbreaks. Eenhana District in Namibia have been having high measles vaccine coverage but still experience outbreaks. The aim of this study is to describe the trend of measles cases in Eenhana district in relation to vaccine coverage.
Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted focusing on the year 2012-2016 by comparing developing measles among those that were vaccinated and among the unvaccinated, with the study population of 58865. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info (standard 2 by 2 tables) comparing the odds ratio in the two groups. The annual measles vaccination coverage was also revived per year as from 2012-2016.
Results: the data per year shows 2012: 16 suspect, 9 vaccinated and zero confirmed IgM positive with annual vaccination coverage of 98%. In 2013: 32 suspected, 9 vaccinated, 4 confirmed IgM positive with coverage of 102%. In 2014: 166 suspected, 23 vaccinated, 57 confirmed IgM positive with vaccination coverage of 106%. In 2015: 55 suspected, 23 vaccinated, 0 confirmed IgM positive with coverage of 103%. In 2016: 8 suspected, 4 vaccinate, I confirmed IgM positive with coverage of 119%. The overall odd ratio in unvaccinated is 0.61.
Conclusion: measles cases in Eenhana district has mostly affected the children among the age group of under 5 years. People with unvaccinated status was the foremost risk factor. Continuation of routine childhood immunization especially to areas with recurrent measles transmission to improve vaccination coverage in order to increase herd immunity and all reports of suspected measles cases should be investigated.
