Profile of Chickenpox Cases in J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal: A Descriptive Study.

Background: Frequent outbreaks of chickenpox are reported from other parts of India in the recent past. But data regarding it in the North-Eastern parts of the country is non-existent. Hence, the current study was taken up to study the profile of chickenpox cases in the state of Manipur. Methods: Secondary data for the period 2006-15 for new chickenpox cases who attended the outpatient ward of the Dermatology department of J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), the only state-run teaching medical institution were analysed retrospectively for their background characteristics and time of occurrence. Results: Chickenpox cases comprised 0.61% of all the OPD cases. The mean age of cases was 13.23 (SD±8.33) years. The disease was most common in the age-group of 5-15 years (49.4%). Case attendance was highest during the spring season followed by the wintry months. Cases streaked in throughout the year although it was the least during the months of August, September and October. There was slight male preponderance for the cases (1.24:1). Discussion: The proportion of cases reported was lesser than reports made by other researchers in outbreak situations. The mean age of the cases was slightly on the higher side if compared to previous study findings. The present study finding that cases appeared more during the spring season and the wintry months was also comparable with other study findings made by others in the country. Conclusion: A varicella sero-conversion study might be taken up across the state to assess the risk of impending outbreaks of chickenpox.