Measles in South Africa: A Comprehensive Interpretation of the Data Part I

Abstract

In South Africa (SA) there is a commitment to and indications that resources are being allocated for the eradication of measles. Still there has been no comprehensions review of the epidemiology of the disease in SA. This understanding is important to identify factors and trends to guide public health practice. This series of articles tries to cover this gap. Part I reviews briefly the international literature on the epidemiology of the disease and describes the methodology followed the sources of data and analysis strategy. The other articles review South African reports on morbidity-mortality and relationships to age, population group, sex and geographical distribution (part II); part III reviews information on measles related, morbidity and morality; part IV reviews other factors influencing measles morbidity and mortality in SA (protein-energy- malnutrition, age at infection, urbanisation, socio-economic status and health care) and contains apprepriate conclusions and recommendations.