Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40205404›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Epidemiological trends and clinical characteristics of measles in Iraq (2023-2024): a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Mohammed A Jalal, Kamil M Halboot, Sundus A Lami, Entidhar A Gumar, Mortada H Kreeb Al-Delphi, Faris Lami, Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Laboratory Parameters and Clinical Presentation of Children with Measles on Hospital Admission: Single-center Study from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Mohammed A JalalDepartment of Public Health, Epidemiology Section, Directorate of Wasit Health, Ministry of Health, Wasit, Iraq. m.health81@gmail.com.
Kamil M HalbootDepartment of Public Health, Directorate of Wasit Health, Communicable Diseases Control Section, Ministry of Health, Wasit, Iraq.
Sundus A LamiDepartment of Public Health, Directorate of Wasit Health, Ministry of Health, Wasit, Iraq.
Entidhar A GumarDepartment of Public Health, Epidemiology Section, Directorate of Wasit Health, Ministry of Health, Wasit, Iraq.
Mortada H Kreeb Al-DelphiDepartment of Public Health, Directorate of Wasit Health, Communicable Diseases Control Section, Ministry of Health, Wasit, Iraq.
Faris LamiDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine in Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Taqi Mohammed Jwad TaherDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine in Wasit University, Wasit, Iraq.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMeasles remains a major public health challenge globally, particularly in regions with low vaccination coverage. Iraq has experienced recurrent outbreaks in recent years, primarily due to inconsistent vaccination rates and a weakened healthcare system. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological patterns and clinical features of measles in Iraq to develop effective public health interventions.

methodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study examined measles cases reported from January 2023 to August 2024, utilizing data from the national surveillance system. The analysis emphasized demographic and clinical information, specifically vaccination status, and clinical symptoms. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, incorporating descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and Chi-square tests.

resultsThe measles incidence in Iraq increased significantly from 22.1 to 69.3 cases per 100,000 population. Notable rises in cases were observed among infants under 9 months (12% to 16.7%) and individuals over 15 years (6.4% to 12.1%). The percentage of cases with unknown vaccination status rose from 42.5% to 50.2%. Symptoms such as fever and rash were prevalent, exhibiting significant variations by age and vaccination status.

conclusionThe resurgence of measles in Iraq from January 2023 to August 2024 highlights significant public health challenges driven by socio-economic instability. The increase in cases, particularly among under-immunized populations and infants, necessitates urgent action. Strengthening vaccination programs, enhancing public awareness, and improving healthcare access are essential. Additionally, better surveillance and record-keeping are crucial for effective outbreak management. Tailored public health strategies are needed to address geographic disparities in incidence, and further research on vaccine hesitancy is critical for developing robust catch-up vaccination campaigns.

Indexed as

MeaslesAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesDisease OutbreaksFemaleHumansIncidenceInfantIraqMaleMeasles VaccineMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesMeasles VaccineClinical featuresEpidemiologyIraqMeaslesOutbreakPublic healthVaccination

Identifiers

PMID40205404
PMCPMC11984018

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.