Understanding the Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Measles Infections in Nigeria

摘要

Measles is a very contagious disease and it is particularly virulent for children under the age of five in developing nations. Statistics from the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria indicate measles endemicity despite vaccination and immunization efforts. This paper examines why there is a high prevalence of measles infections in Nigeria and explores the geographic pattern of measles morbidity and mortality. The results show that school enrollment accounts for high measles rate in the country. Local customs, belief systems, political power, environmental factors, and health practices may also explain the geographic variability in infection rate. The study also found that inadequate data on infectious diseases like measles may hamper effective management of epidemics. Therefore, the paper suggests the need for sustainable immunization programs and the design of a better method of generating health data for management purposes.