An epidemiological study on incidence, symptoms and complications of measles in bordering districts of West Bengal.

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to find out the incidence of measles in under five children and its complications in four selected urban slums of inter-state border districts of West Bengal. 20 cluster sampling technique was followed and in each cluster 250 under five children were covered. Paramedical workers found out the children of the target age group who had the history of measles in past one year and Medical Officer confirmed the case following standard case definition. Incidence of measles was round to be 3.3% in Purulia, 5.5% in Bankura. 4.6% in Midnapur, 5.7% in Haldia-Tamluk and with an overall rate of 4.8%. Incidence was higher in 0-11 and 12-23 months age group and decreased with increasing age, but no sex difference in incidence of Measles was observed. Only 20% of cases were vaccinated with measles vaccine and 26% received Vitamin A in oil. Diarrhoea was the commonest complications followed by cough and cold, pneumonia and weight loss. The study highlighted the necessity of timely measles vaccine coverage, additional dose at a higher age and Vitamin A oil supplementation through IEC activities.