Vol. 8, Issue 3, Part A (2025)

Background: Measles is still a serious problem in areas with low vaccination rates and weak healthcare systems, even though it has been mainly contained in areas with robust immunization programs.

Aims of the study: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of the measles outbreak and determine the possible factors related to measles cases in Wasit Governorate from 2022 to 2024. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study with analytic components was conducted in Wasit from 1^st of March to 30^th of December 2024. It included all reported measles cases to the surveillance unit in Wasit Health Directorate in 2022, 2023, and to June 2024 based on the availability of complete demographic, clinical and vaccination status data.

Results: From 1^st January 2022 to 30^th June 2024, 3096 measles cases were notified in the Wasit governorate. Of these, 5.4% cases were confirmed as measles on a laboratory basis. The monthly cases were low till December 2022, then there was an increase in January 2023, which rose sharply, reaching a peak of 800 cases in March 2024. The factors associated with hospitalization were younger age, urbanization, contact with cases, and lack of vaccination.

Conclusion: Males are affected slightly more than females. Half of cases were in those below five years of age, Insufficient immunization coverage was identified as a significant contributing factor to the outbreaks. Younger age, urban residence, contact with measles cases, and unvaccinated cases were all significantly associated with increased odds of hospitalization.