An Epidemiological Study of Measles Incidence and Vaccination Coverage in Urban Slums of Ahmedabad, India.

Background: Measles is the public health problem in India, causing mortality and morbidity in children. Measles vaccination is included in the Immunization program but low coverage is still a major problem. There is a lack of data on measles incidence and coverage in vulnerable population for measles. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to find out the incidence and vaccination coverage based on parents recall in identified 30 slums of Ahmedabad by using cluster sampling method. 3000 children, less than five years of age were included by selecting 100 children from each cluster. Pre-designed and pre-tested standardized questionnaire of UNICEF was used to assess symptoms of measles and history of the Immunization. Result: The measles incidence was found 20.8% based on symptoms and 3.03% based on confirmed diagnosis by doctors as per parents recall in the past six months. The overall vaccination coverage was found at 64.62%. The most common presenting symptom was found fever with rash in children with measles. Conclusion: No gender difference was found in vaccine coverage, measles incidence and status of treatment received. Vaccine efficacy found to be 42% which is very low and high incidence of measles was reported which shows the need for an effective targeted program for the urban slums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]