The objective of the study is to measure the changes in measles infection and measles vaccination rates for the past 10 years in a rural area, Kang Wla. The study population were the entire children who were born between 1971 and 1980 in three townships (Sunwon, Naegae, Buleun) in Kangwha County. Two interview surveys were carried out during the 10 years of period, one in 1977 and the other in 1981. The data were collected by Family Health Workers through interview with structured questionnaires.
The diagnosis of measles was mainly based on histories, symptoms and signs of the disease. If a mother had reported measles history of her child, a public physician reviewed and decided the final diagnosis of the reported case.
A retrospective cohort observation was done in order to see the trends of measles infections and measles vaccinations.
The major findings were as follows;
1. The 5 year prevalence rate of measles vaccinations was 51.3%´ between 1971 and 1975 and 71.9% between 1976 and 1980 respectively. The difference between two periods was statistically significant (P<0.05). The secular trend of measles vaccinations showed increasing tendency from 1971 to 1978 and since then kept maintained.´,
2. In the birth cohort analysis of measles vaccinations, the vaccination rates, in general, were higher in the later cohort groups than that of earlier cohort groups.
3. The 5-year experience rates for measles infections were 24.3 between 1971 and 1975 and 17.20% between 1976 and 1980 respectively. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The secular trend of experience rates for measles infections showed decreasing tendency from 1971 to 1980 except an outbreak in 1976.
4. The birth cohort analysis of experience rates for measles infections showed that the rate was higher in the later cohort groups than that of the earlier ´,cohort groups. This decreasing tendency was prominent between 1973^--1974 and 1976---197
5. The distribution of age specific incidence rates for measles infection showed unimodal curve with the peak at the age of 12 to 18 months. This findings we´re same in both two surveys.
6. Seasonal variations of the measles infections showed two peaks, ´;one major peak in March through May and the another minor peak in September throug December.
7. The 5-year reduction rate for measles infections among those vaccinated was 90.490 between 1971 and 1975 and 88 0" between 1976 and 1980.
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