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[Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in Tunisia]

M S Soltani1, A Bchir, F Amri

  • 1C.H.U. de Monastir, Tunisie. mohamed.soltani@fmm.rnu.tn

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal = La Revue De Sante De La Mediterranee Orientale = Al-Majallah Al-Sihhiyah Li-Sharq Al-Mutawassit
|March 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis surveillance in Tunisia revealed a high incidence in young children. The study supported the cost-effectiveness of introducing Hib vaccination to prevent this serious infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health Surveillance

Context:

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis poses a significant threat to children under 5 years old.
  • Tunisia established a surveillance system to monitor meningitis cases and identify causative agents.
  • The study period spanned 14 months, from June 2000, utilizing both population-based and sentinel surveillance methods.

Purpose:

  • To determine the incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in children under 5 years in Tunisia.
  • To analyze the microbiological causes of meningitis in the studied population.
  • To evaluate the economic implications of Hib meningitis and compare it with the cost of vaccination.

Summary:

  • A total of 80 meningitis cases were recorded, with Haemophilus influenzae isolated in 38% of cases.
  • The confirmed incidence of Hib meningitis was 14.4 per 100,000 children under 5.
  • Hib meningitis disproportionately affected infants under 1 year and boys.

Impact:

  • The estimated cost of managing Hib meningitis exceeded the projected cost of introducing Hib vaccination.
  • Based on these findings, the Tunisian Ministry of Health decided to implement Hib vaccination.
  • This study provides crucial data supporting vaccine introduction for the prevention of Hib meningitis in Tunisia.

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