Impact of emergency mass immunisations on measles control in displaced populations in Gulu district, northern Uganda.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of supplemental mass measles immunisations.


METHODS
Retrospective study of hospital and health centre records.


METHODS
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.
Mupere
E
E
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
Onek
P
P
Babikako
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012036:Refugees; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014454:Uganda