PREVALENCE OF MEASLES AND VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG INFANTS AND PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AT MAIWAND TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Measles is a highly contagious viral illness and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the widespread availability of a safe and effective vaccine, measles outbreaks remain common in regions with low immunization coverage. In Afghanistan, ongoing conflict, displacement, and limited access to healthcare services have contributed to suboptimal vaccination rates, placing children at increased risk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of measles and examine associated factors—such as vaccination status, age distribution, and complications—among pediatric patients admitted to Maiwand Teaching Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Maiwand Teaching Hospital, affiliated with Kabul University of Medical Sciences, from January 1 to December 31, 2022. The study included all pediatric patients aged 1 month to 156 months (13 years) who were admitted with a clinical diagnosis of measles during the study period. Data were collected using structured forms and included patient demographics, measles vaccination status, clinical presentation, complications, and outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics, and inferential statistical analyses were performed to assess associations between variables. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, version 25.

Results: During the study period, a total of 3,850 children were hospitalized, of whom 998 (25.9%) were diagnosed with measles. The vast majority of affected children (88.7%) were under five years old, and 54.2% were male. A large proportion (86%) had not received any measles vaccination, while 7.6% had received a single dose and 6.4% had completed two doses. Complications were frequently observed, with pneumonia (79%), diarrhea (36.8%), and oral thrush (22%) being the most commonly reported. Nearly all patients (99.6%) recovered following appropriate medical care, though a small number with severe complications succumbed to the illness.

Conclusions: The study reveals a high prevalence of measles among pediatric inpatients at Maiwand Teaching Hospital, with a significant number of cases occurring in unvaccinated children. These findings highlight the urgent need to enhance immunization efforts and strengthen public health interventions to mitigate measles-associated illness and death in Afghanistan.