Impact of emergency mass immunisations on measles control in displaced populations in Gulu District, Northern Uganda
Year: 2006
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of supplemental mass measles immunisations. DESIGN: Retrospective study of hospital and health centre records. SETTING: Gulu district, Northern Uganda, having approximately 81% of the population living in internally displaced persons' (IDPs) camps. RESULTS: The mean age in months for 4,812 measles cases seen was 28.2 +/- 46.0 (p < 0.0001). Supplemental mass immunisations in 1997 and 2000 caused a 91% reduction of measles cases, 93% reduction of mortality, 91% reduction of bed-days and 79% reduction of outpatient cases. There was a 67% reduction in mean measles case admissions, 63% reduction in mean measles mortality, and 73% reduction in mean measles bed-days following district mass measles immunisations in 1997. However, following IDPs camps supplemental immunisations in 2000; there was 82% reduction of mean measles case admissions, 80% reduction of mean measles mortality and 88% reduction of mean measles bed-days. CONCLUSIONS: In similar situations, supplemental mass measles immunisations should be focused on IDPs camps with a wide age group in addition to improved routine immunization activities in the entire district.
Source: East African Medical Journal
Authors: E Mupere, P Onek, HM Babikako
Institutions: Makerere University, Mengo Hospital
Language: English
Topic: Virology and Viral Diseases
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1995022919