Epidemiological Survey of Measles Cases in the South of Kerman Province during 2014-2015

Vahid  Mashayekhi Mazar; Ali Dehghani; Masaood Mirzaee; Mohsen Askarshahi; Mohammad Reza Sharifi; Reza Faryabi; Saeedeh  Baluch Shahriari

doi:10.18502/ssu.v29i3.6202

Vahid Mashayekhi Mazar Deputy of Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
Ali Dehghani Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Masaood Mirzaee Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Mohsen Askarshahi Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Sharifi Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Reza Faryabi Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
Saeedeh Baluch Shahriari Deputy of Curative Affairs, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v29i3.6202

Keywords: Epidemiological study, Measles, Vaccination

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the global burden of measles, many measures have always been taken to control and eradicate this disease. However, epidemics of this disease still sometimes occur in some parts of the world and Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of measles cases in the south of Kerman Province during 2014-2015.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 326-suspected cases of measles using a checklist and review forms. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.

Results: During the years of 2004 and 2005, out of the total number of suspected cases (n=326), 23% were laboratory confirmed. The highest percentage of measles was in the age group of 1 to 4 years (45.3%) and above 10 years (30.7%) and the highest cases of measles were among males (61.3%). Most cases of definite measles were in people without a history of vaccination (61.3%), in Iranians (81.3%) and in rural areas (73.3%).

Conclusion: According to the results of the study, there is a need to pay attention to additional immunization in remote areas and in places of gathering of foreign nationals. The highest prevalence of measles were among people who did not have a history of measles vaccination, it seems that the measles vaccination program has not been very successful in the cities covered by the Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. It is recommended that additional studies be performed to determine the risk factors for measles.