The impact of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation on measles-induced sensorineural hearing loss in the western area of Sierra Leone.

Measles was found to be responsible for 46.1% of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in children in a study conducted in the western area of Sierra Leone between 1975 to 1985. 125 children with acquired sensorineural hearing loss were seen and investigated in this study, which was conducted to determine the impact of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation and measles-induced hearing loss. 17 children had sensorineural hearing loss consequent to an attack of measles. A progressive drop in the number of cases seen from 6 in 1986 to 0 in 1989 was observed. During the same period the measles immunisation coverage in Sierra Leone increased from 21% in 1986 to 75% in 1990. Given that measles and some other causes of sensorineural hearing loss were preventable, it was hypothesised that lower incidence of these diseases would result in lower rates of acquired sensorineural hearing loss. This study demonstrated an inverse relationship between the incidence of measles induced sensorineural hearing loss and the increased immunisation coverage when Universal Child Immunisation (UCI) was attained in 1990.