Frequency of hospitalized cases of mumps in Qazvin (2002)

Abstract Background: Mumps is a viral infection. Although the disease is usually mild, up to 10% of patients can develop aseptic meningitis. Objective: To study the frequency of hospitalized cases of mumps in Qazvin. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which the cases with mumps and admitted to two pediatric hospitals were investigated in 2002. Information on demographic status, history of vaccination, signs and symptoms of disease, side effects of disease and also the cost of hospitalization were collected. The results were analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: There were 204 cases of clinical mumps reported in 2002. Seventy seven percent of cases were male and 23% female. The mean of the patients' ages was 7.6+1.4. A history of contact was found in 45.5% of cases. The most common symptoms were vomiting (86.5%) headache (64.3%) and abdominal pain (31.3%). The benefit-cost (BC) of vaccination ratio was 1.6. Conclusion: The immunization program is a cost effective protocol and will be economically more beneficial if a combined vaccination including mumps, measles and rubella to be used.