Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP): Problems of Measles Vaccination

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) and Problems faced by HCPs regarding measles immunization rescheduling in Tehsil Gujar Khan. Globally measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available for protection since 1963. In 2008, there were 164,000 measles deaths globally mostly of children under the age of five. More than 95 per cent of measles deaths occur in low-income countries with weak health infrastructures. In Pakistan measles is one of the most common diseases affecting infants and children under the age of five. An estimated 2.1 million cases of measles occur every year in Pakistan, with over 21,000 children dying of the disease and its complications annually. One of the most important milestones developed in response to the high mortality caused by measles globally was the measles initiative launched by WHO, UNICEF, CDC, United Nations Foundation and American Red Cross in 2001 in Africa and extending its mandate to Asia in 2004 where measles was a significant burden and Pakistan is one of the 47 high burden countries identified by WHO and UNICEF for priority action.