The hidden burden of measles in Ethiopia: how distance to hospital shapes the disease mortality rate.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A sequence of annual measles epidemics has been observed from January 2013 to April 2017 in the South West Shoa Zone of the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. We aimed at estimating the burden of disease in the affected area, taking into account inequalities in access to health care due to travel distances from the nearest hospital.

Methods

We developed a dynamic transmission model calibrated on the time series of hospitalized measles cases. The model provided estimates of disease transmissibility and incidence at a population level. Model estimates were combined with a spatial analysis to quantify the hidden burden of disease and to identify spatial heterogeneities characterizing the effectiveness of the public health system in detecting severe measles infections and preve

SUBMITTER: Poletti P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6193289 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature