Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
COVID-19 Seroprevalence Test for IgG Antibody Levels Among Healthy Donors Across Different Pandemic Phases in Jeddah
Published on: June 24, 2025
Factors associated with pertussis infection and suspected cases in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia: a retrospective
Abdulrahman Mohammed Alqahtani1, Abdullah Mohammed Alshehri2, Arif Ahmed Alqahtani3
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Aseer Health Cluster, Aseer Region, Abha City, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Pediatric pertussis is resurging in Saudi Arabia, particularly in infants, due to low vaccination rates. Boosting maternal Tdap vaccine uptake is crucial to protect young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a significant global child health concern.
- Saudi Arabia faces rising pertussis incidence despite high immunization rates.
- Maternal Tdap vaccination is recommended but coverage varies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of laboratory-confirmed pediatric pertussis.
- To identify key factors associated with pertussis in children.
- To analyze trends in the Aseer region from 2020 to 2024.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of suspected pediatric pertussis cases.
- Data collected: age, gender, vaccination status, symptoms, lab results.
- Statistical analysis included Chi-square, Fisher's Exact, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 41.5% of 388 suspected cases were confirmed positive.
- Infants under four months comprised 58.3% of cases.
- Maternal Tdap immunization was associated with significantly lower pertussis positivity rates (p=0.003).
- A resurgence was noted in 2024, with positivity rising to 69.3%.
Conclusions:
- Aseer region shows low vaccination coverage and a pertussis resurgence in infants.
- Urgent need to increase maternal Tdap vaccine uptake.
- Improve infant vaccination access and target low-coverage areas.
- Continued surveillance is vital for monitoring trends and vaccine effectiveness.
Background:
Pertussis is a major cause of vaccine-preventable morbidity and mortality in children globally. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence has risen despite high immunization rates and maternal Tdap recommendations. This study aims to identify the incidence and key factors associated with laboratory-confirmed pediatric pertussis in the Aseer region from 2020 to 2024.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on suspected pediatric pertussis cases at Sarat Ubaida General Hospital, Aseer region, from 2020 to 2024. Data from medical records included age, gender, vaccination history, symptoms, and lab results. Descriptive statistics summarized characteristics, with Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests for comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression for adjusted odds ratios (95% CI).
Results:
Of 388 suspected cases, 41.5% tested positive. Infants under four months made up 58.3% of cases, and males accounted for 51.3%. Fewer than 42% had received any pertussis vaccine, with only 28.6% of mothers receiving Tdap in the third trimester. Annual positivity dropped from 37.1% in 2020 to 5.9% in 2022, then rose to 69.3% in 2024. Maternal Tdap immunization significantly reduced positivity rates: 38.9% in unvaccinated mothers compared to 77.8% in vaccinated mothers (p = 0.003). Classic respiratory symptoms helped distinguish positive from negative cases.
Conclusion:
Pediatric pertussis in the Aseer region has seen low vaccination coverage and a resurgence in 2024, especially in infants under four months. It's crucial to boost maternal Tdap uptake, improve infant vaccination access, target low-coverage communities, and maintain surveillance to monitor trends and vaccine effectiveness.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...