prevalence of paralytic poliomyelitis in Dakahlia governorate

ABSTRACT

This study was done by 2 methods: Community based survey study [CBSS] on urban and rural areas selected in El-Mansoura City and study the records of the reported paralytic poliomyelitis cases in the last 5 years in Daqahlia Governorate. First method was constituted 900 children aged < 5 years, [600 rural children and 300 urban children], their mothers or guardians were submitted to a questionnaire sheet, that included vaccination history of limping or short thin limbs, onset mf paralysis, and its distribution. Second method included the data obtained from MOH and Health Affair were categorized and analyzed. The results revealed that paralytic poliomyelitis [PP] constituted 20% of causes of limping, the age of onset of PP was < 6 months in 10.2% and < 2 years in 81.6%, and < 3 years in 93.9% of reported cases. In CBSS, the age of onset of PP was < 2 years in 75%. The distribution of residual paralysis was in right leg in 34.7%, left leg in 30.6% and in both legs in 24.5% in reported group. In CBSS, the right leg was affected in 50%, left leg in 25% and both legs in 25%. The male children were affected more than females in CBSS as the ratio was 3 1 but no sex predilection was found in reported cases as the ratio was 1.3 1. The rural children were more affected than urban children in both reported and CBSS groups. The prevalence of PP in Daqahlia Governorate in the last 5 years was 8.5/100000 as reported by MOH, but it was 4.4/1000 in CBSS. The difference was discussed in the text, the immunization coverage was 90.14% and 95.5% in reported and CBSS, respectively. Mass surveys need to be periodically carried out to study trend on prevalence of the disease in different Governorates in Egypt