Measles epidemiology and its implications for a vaccination programme in Oman.
To describe the epidemiology of measles in Oman and the implications for a vaccination programme, we conducted a retrospective record-based study from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2003 using data from the national epidemiological surveillance system. All cases notified as suspected measles during the study period were included. Of the 185 notified cases, 19.4% were confirmed measles positive. Blood samples for measles IgM were collected in 97.3% of cases. The mean age of measles cases was 8.0 (SD 10.7) years. The estimated overall incidence rate of measles for the study period was 0.53 per 100,000 person-years. Regression analysis indicated measles was significantly commoner among non-Omanis and children who had not been vaccinated.
Patel
P K
PK
Department of Health Affairs, Directorate-General of Health Services, Dhahira, Ministry of Health, Oman. pakki_kp@hotmail.com
Al-Awaidy
S T
ST
Bawikar
S
S
Al-Busaidy
S
S
Al-Mahrooqi
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018563:Disease Notification; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D009850:Oman / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008458:Measles Vaccine