Measles and childhood mortality in semi-urban Nigeria.

Two hundred and sixty-nine children who presented with measles between April 1983 and March 1986 at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, were studied. The peak age incidence was during the second half of the first year (40.5%). A positive history of measles vaccination was indicated in only 11.5%, and there was no significant difference in the immunization status 18 months pre- and post-Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Respiratory complications accounted for 88.5% of all the complications, and 92.8% of the deaths. Overall mortality was 26%. The majority of deaths (52.9%) occurred in the age group 6-12 months. Lack of vaccination, high vaccination failure rate, early age of contracting the disease, malnutrition, prevalent bacterial infections and a delay in seeking medical attention were the main factors identified as the probable causes of high morbidity and mortality in measles in Ilorin.