European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CHICKENPOX DISEASE IN IRAQ, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

*Dr. Ban Dheyaa Jawad Al-Amili

ABSTRACT

Chickenpox is a common viral disease among children and adult. This study aimed to find the occurrence and trend of chickenpox disease in Iraq during 2014 to 2018. A retrospective cross - sectional study was done. Review of the existing anonymous surveillance records of chickenpox for the years from 2014-2018 were done. Out of 285560 cases, 148741/285560 (52.1%) were male and 136819/285560 (47.9%) were female cases. The male cases were much higher percentage 27.3%, 17.0%, 20.6%, 17.2% during 2014, 2015, 2016, and in 2018 than female cases. There are highly significant association between the gender, age groups by years at the p. value less than 0.05. The rate of chickenpox cases were higher in 2014, followed by 2017. We need to find the higher risk groups by using the laboratory confirmation of cases to assess the burden of the chickenpox disease in the country. Therefore, we need to put a clear plan of introducing the chickenpox vaccine into the immunization program in Iraq after complete understanding of the real epidemiological situation of the disease in Iraq.

Keywords: Rate, Chickenpox, Epidemiology, Iraq, Gender.