Determinants of measles cases with complications in Selangor, Malaysia from year 2014 to 2023 using e-Measles registry.

INTRODUCTION

Measles is a highly contagious vaccinepreventable disease endemic to Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the determinants of measles cases with complications in Selangor, Malaysia, from 2014 to 2023.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of confirmed measles cases in Selangor using the secondary surveillance database, Sistem Maklumat Siasatan Measles (SM2). The data were reviewed from April 2024 to June 2024. All registered measles cases in Selangor from 2014 to 2023 were analyzed to determine the determinants of measles cases with complications, the type of measles complications, and the characteristics of those who developed measles complications.

RESULTS

Of 3074 measles cases, 479 (15.6%) developed measles complications, of which diarrhea was the most common complication (87.6%), followed by pneumonia (11.6%), otitis media (0.6%), and subsclerosing panencephalitis (0.2%). The majority of those who developed measles complications were aged less than one year old (42.1%) and 1-6 years (31.4%). The significant determinants of measles cases with complications were non-Malaysian nationality (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.44, 3.05), cases from urban areas (aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.76), cases that fulfilled the measles clinical case definition (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.59, 2.76), cases with a history of contact with other measles cases (aOR: 4.4, 95% CI: 3.43, 5.67), cases from the measles outbreak (aOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.19), and cases that were hospitalized (aOR: 5.6, 95% CI: 4.49, 7.07).

CONCLUSION

Strengthening immunization coverage, particularly among high-risk groups, such as non- Malaysians and young children, is essential. Enhanced surveillance, targeted health education, and improved outbreak response strategies are crucial to reduce measles complications in the community. Further research is needed to explore additional factors contributing to measles complications and to assess the effectiveness of intervention measures.