yemenjmedYemen Journal of MedicinecoVolume 2 Issue 1MultidisciplinaryEnglishJanuary - April 2023 NNY20230510ArticleRisk Factors For Measles Outbreak In Al-Dali Governorate, YemenEnglishY4447Mohammed AliHamoudEnglishN10.32677/yjm.v2i1.3915Background: In addition to the recent civil war in Yemen, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a collapse of the health system, a decline in vaccination coverage, and the spread of numerous outbreaks. In 2022, a measles outbreak impacted Al Dali governorate. This study aimed to describe the demographics of measles patients, measles risk factors, and disease outcomes in Al Dali Governorate, Yemen. Methods: All measles-infected children who sought medical attention at Al Tadhamon Hospital in Al Dali, Yemen, between February and December 2022 were included in this prospective observational study. Results: During the study period, 154 parents gave their consent to enroll their children in this study; 88 (57.1%) were males, and 66 (42.9%) were females. The mean age of the children was 3.56± 2.90 (0.3-12 years). More than half of the mothers [n=88, (57.1%)] were illiterate or had a basic educational level, while most of the fathers [n=126, (81.8%)] were well-educated. Nutritional status was normal in most children [n=146, (94.8%)], and all children were unvaccinated. Most children [n=152, (98.7)] came from areas having measles and most of them [n=130, (84.4)] were in contact with measles cases. Health facilities were close (< 3 kilometers) to many children [n=151 (98.1)], and house ventilation was good in 66.2% (n=102) of cases while crowdedness was found in 135 (87.7) cases. Family members were 7 or more in 90 (58.4) cases. Two children under the age of 5 years died because of the disease. Conclusion: Our study showed that the main risk factor for the recent measles outbreak in Al Dali governorate was lack of vaccination, as all involved children were unvaccinated. Routine immunization needs to be reinforced through health centers in different districts, and community education about the dangers of the disease and the benefits of the vaccines should be enhanced to prevent outbreaks from recurring. EnglishAl Dali governorate, Measles outbreak, Risk factors, Yemenhttps://yemenjmed.com/admin/abstract?id=50References1619WHO: Measles: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles [Last accessed on 20 February 2023]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.and;nbsp;https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/measles/data/global-measles-outbreaks.htmland;nbsp;[Last accessed on 22 February 2023].Global progress against measles threatened amidst COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.who.int/news/item/10-11-2021-global-progress-against-measles-threatened-amidst-covid-19-pandemic [Last accessed on 22 February 2023].Measles cases are spiking globally: https://www.unicef.org/stories/measles-cases-spiking-globally [Last accessed on 22 February 2023].Outbreaks news: https://outbreaknewstoday.com/yemen-reports-nearly-3000-measles-cases-through-may-24885/ [Last accessed on 24 February 2023].Sowe A, Njie M, Sowe D, et al. Epidemiology of measles cases, vaccine effectiveness, and performance towards measles elimination in The Gambia. PLoS One. 2021 Oct 21;16(10):e0258961.Global measles outbreak: https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/measles/data/global-measles-outbreaks.html [Last accessed on 24 February 2023].Lutf AQ. COVID-19 in Yemen: The present situationand;nbsp; andand;nbsp; theand;nbsp; futureand;nbsp; planand;nbsp; toand;nbsp; overcomeand;nbsp; theand;nbsp; crisis.and;nbsp; Yemenand;nbsp; Jand;nbsp; Med.and;nbsp; 2022;1(1):14-16.Rana MS, Alam MM, Ikram A, Salman M, Mere MO, Usman M, Umair M, Zaidi SSZ, Arshad Y. Emergence of measles during the COVID-19 pandemic threatens Pakistanand;#39;s children and the wider region. Nat Med. 2021 Jul;27(7):1127-1128https://www.unicef.org/media/129576/file/Yemen-Humanitarian-Situation-Report-Mid-Year-June-2022.pdf [Last accessed on 24 February 2023].Nassar AAH, Al Amad MA, Qasim M, Dureab F. Risk factors for measles outbreak in Ataq and Habban districts, Shabwah governorate, Yemen, February to May 2018. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 10;21(1):551.and;nbsp;Woyessa AB, Said AA. Measles outbreak investigation - Keffa zone, SNNP regional state, Ethiopia, January 2012. Int J Infect Dis. 2012;16:e365Domai FM, Agrupis KA, Han SM, et al. Measles outbreak in the Philippines: epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hospitalized children, 2016-2019. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2021;19:100334.