Zia Mohammad, Sabir Khan, Irshad Ahmad, Tabinda Shadab, Zulqarnain Haider, Janath Sheer.
Frequency of Measles in Infants Younger Than 9 Months of Age.
J Med Sci Jan ;26(2):115-9.

Objective: To determine the frequency of measles in infants younger than 9 months of age. Material and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in Department of Paediatrics of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar from November 2012 to October 2013. A pre-designed proforma was used to collect data. The data was presented in the form of frequencies and percentages.Two age groups were identified in the data, age < 9 months (Group A) and age ? 9 months (Group B). Results: A total number of 503 cases (n=503) of age 6 months-10 years were enrolled in this study. Out of 503 cases, 89 (17.69%) patients belonged to Group ?A? whereas 414 (82.3%) to Group ?B?. In Group ?A? 60 (67%) were male and 29 (33%) were females. In Group ?B? 245 (59%) were male and 169 (41%) were female.Among 503 patients, 157 (31.2%) were fully vaccinated, 144 (28.6%) were partially vaccinated and 202 (40%) were unvaccinated.Regarding education status of parents, 325 (64%) of the fathers were educated whereas 178 (35%) were uneducated. Mothers of the patients, 160 (32%) were educated whereas 343 (68%) were uneducated.A total of 141 (28%) received single dose of measles vaccine, 13 (3%) received two doses whereas 349 (69%) of the patients did not receive measles vaccine at all. Conclusion: High number of infants under 9 months of age are affected by measles. It is recommended to review the immunization schedule formeasles and the first dose of measles vaccine to be administered at least at 6 months of age.

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