ABSTRACT
Background: Measles, though being a vaccine preventable disease, is still a major public health problem in many developing countries. It is a significant problem in Pakistan despite vaccine coverage rates reported at 80%
Objective: To assess the vaccination status among measles diagnosed children admitted in Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan
Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 children at pediatric ward of Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan. Detailed history and physical examination of all the hospitalized patients with measles or complications of measles was filled in a performa consisting of questions regarding age, gender, residence, socioeconomic status and vaccination status of children. Questions were asked from mothers/attendants of measles diagnosed children. After collection of data, it was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16
Results: A total of hundred hospitalized children with measles or complications of measles were included. 24% children were completely vaccinated against measles, 18% were incompletely vaccinated whereas 58% were not vaccinated. 44% were from urban area while 56% children were belonging to rural areas
Conclusion: Our study showed that majority of children were not vaccinated against measles. Programmes targeting mothers of lower socio-economic status such has those with no education, those in most poor households and with many children are required. Such programmes may include health education and immunization campaigns at the community level to improve coverage