Measles in children under six months-of age: an epidemiological study

This study was carried out in 989 cases of measles attending the communicable diseases clinic. University of Benin Teaching Hospital in the year 1977. It was found that measles is a disease of under 5 years and is more frequent amongst infants. Out of the total cases, a sub-group of children suffering from measles under 6 months of age were followed to their homes to study some of their socio-economic factors. It was observed that multiparity and a higher age group of mothers are probable factors. Poor environmental hygiene and low socio-economic status had a role in the transmission of the disease, but malnutrition was not found to be a contributory factor.