Tehran University Medical Journal

Backgroud: Measles, as one of the most contagious diseases, because of the risks of mortality, mental and physical disabilities which may afflict on the patients, has always been so important to the scientists and researchers. With respect to burden of diseases, numerous measures have been taken to control and eliminate measles. In our country, vaccination is considered as the most important strategy to control the measles, however, the surveillance on the patients is on the second place. Screening (Active & passive), prompt and appropriate control of measles in high risk areas can help to control the disease.

Materials and Methods: There are 1375283 people with a variety of demographic traits who live in southern Tehran. Southern Tehran covering 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 19th divisions of Tehran municipality consists of high risk areas. Because of too many immigrants, overcrowded areas, malnutrition and poverty, the south of Tehran is considered as one of high risk areas, predisposed to measles epidemics. So in 1999, a cross-sectional study was done.

Results: On 230 subjects suspected to be measles in south of Tehran, 147 subjects were diagnosed as measles by para clinic evidence, 121 subjects of which were men. Most of these were of the age 20 to 24 years old who lived in the eleventh part of Tehran municipality area. The majority of patients were found among soldiers who lived in dormitories in Horr garrison and military training college located on the above-mentioned area. Unfortunately, most of them did not have reliable history of vaccination. Most of these patients had been in close contact with the colleagues who were measled (61.2 percent). The rate of measles incidence during winter soars at most.

Conclusion: The most important factor to be researched is that, the age of these patients differs much from what is expected, due to unknown reason.