TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical Aspects and Outcome of Measles in a Low-Income Country in 2023
AUTHORS:
Sime Tchouamo Arielle Annick, Enyama Dominique, Noukeu Diomède, Atyam Ekotto Marie Christine, Abouame Palma Haoua, Epee Ngoue Jeannette, Kago Tague Daniel Armand, Touka Eric Brice, Tasse Simo Nathalie Ines, Nguéfack Félicité
KEYWORDS:
Measles, Complications, Low-Income Countries
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
26,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction:
Measles remains a worrying health problem in sub-Saharan African countries.
There have been measles outbreaks in Cameroon with the most recent occurring
between October 2022 and September 2023. The Centre region of Cameroon was the
most affected in the country and being at the frontline of the fight against
this illness, we conducted this study in order to determine the epidemiological
and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of children who contracted
the measles and were hospitalized at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric
Hospital. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and
prospective study for one year from October 2022 to November 2023 corresponding
to the duration of the outbreak. We included all children admitted in the
pediatric unit for measles and its complications during this period. Results: In
total, 60 children were enrolled. Their caregivers were mostly their mothers
who had a mean age of 34.71 ± 9.55 years living in significant precarious
conditions for the majority. The median age of children was 16 months (09 - 30
months). Twenty six percent of children (16) were less than 9 months. Girls were
predominant (55%). Most children were not up to date with their routine EPI
vaccination (80%) and most did not receive the measles and Rubella vaccine
(76.67%). Clinical manifestations, included fever, conjunctivitis, and cough.
Skin rash and catarrh (98.33% and 86.67% respectively) are the case definition
signs of measles. The outcome was unfavorable for 4 children. One had a
neurological disorder: coma and three presented with pneumonia and severe
respiratory distress (6.67%). Conclusion: Measles is still being a reality and claiming lives in our context, emphasis should be made on immunization coverage and if possible, advocacies should be formulated to decrease the age of measles vaccine administration.