Epidemiology of measles in Tanzania: A hospital-based survey of measles morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Objective: To estimate measles morbidity and mortality in selected regions on mainland Tanzania Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Hospital-based review of existing records on measles morbidity and mortality in the selected district hospitals on mainland Tanzania. Methods: Review of records on measles morbidity and mortality was performed using a standard instrument adopted from the Ministry of Health. The instrument was pre-tested before use. Researchers were recruited from the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences and were trained on how to collect data from the hospital records. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ministry of Health in Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival in the respective regions, the researchers recruited and trained local research assistants on methods of data collection. Completed questionnaire forms were entered into a computer and data cleaning was done before data analysis. Results: Measles was found to occur in individuals of over 15 years of age and beyond. Overall 35% (N=2277) of all measles cases were reported from the Iringa region while Mara region had the lowest number of cases. On the other hand Shinyanga had the highest case fatality rate (6%) compared with other regions. Mortality was higher in children below two years of age and among individuals who had no history of measles vaccination. Conclusion: We conclude that despite high measles vaccination coverage, measles is still a public health problem in Tanzania. Efforts should be made to give several booster doses up to the age of 15 years.

Trends of measles in Tanzania: A 5-year review of case-based surveillance data, 2018-2022

“…In this study, it was observed that a high proportion of unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children (single dose) were laboratory confirmed to have measles. Similarly, a hospital-based study documented severe morbidity due to measles in unvaccinated individuals in Tanzania [28] . This can be explained by the fact that low vaccination coverage usually results in the accumulation of susceptible populations over time which can lead to outbreaks.…”

Mitigating the Spread of Measles under Constrained Health Care Resources in Tanzania using Social Contact Network Models

“…Despite Tanzania's limited financial resources, revaccination of individuals continues during measles outbreaks (Mnyika and Akim 2005). Routine measles vaccination for all children at 9 months was introduced in 1975 as part of its Expanded Program on Immunization (Mandara andRemme 1983, Goodson et al 2009).…”

“…From 1995 to 2005, the responsible Ministry of Health ran annual mass immunization week campaigns involving all children under the age of five against all major childhood immunizable diseases including measles. In 2001, the age group eligibility for measles vaccination was extended to include children up to 15 years of age (Mnyika and Akim 2005). Measles first dose vaccination coverage increased from 46% in 198046% in to 80% in 199046% in , fluctuating between 72% and 83% through the 1990s, and increased from 78% in 200046% in to >90% in 200346% in -200746% in (WHO 2008.…”

“…While several studies have been conducted on measles' control strategies in Tanzania (Mandara and Remme 1983, Lyamuya et al 1999, Kamugisha et al 2003, Mnyika and Akim 2005, Goodson et al 2009, none of these studies employed social contact network epidemiology. To the best of the knowledge of authors, the novelty of this paper lies in using a hybrid of existing networks models to develop reliable measles outbreaks predictions, simulate a social contact network of individuals, thereby offering a valuable contribution towards proposing optimal and/or improved control strategies for measles outbreaks.…”