EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DIPHTHERIA IN GENRAL POPULATION OF BANNU DIVISION AND IDPs OF NORTH WAZIRISTAN AGENCY (NWA), PAKISTAN

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate mortality rate and to understand the causes of persistence of diphtheria in Bannu division and to enlighten some strategies to prevent future outbreaks. The study was carried out at District Head Quarter Hospital, Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital and Women and Children Hospital of Bannu division. Suspected individuals of various age groups and gender with tender throat and pseudo-membrane were part of this study. Laboratory diagnosis was based on culture media and Albert’s staining procedure. Our findings suggest that children of 0-10 years of age group were more vulnerable to diphtheria infection (76.5%). The disease was most prevalent during September to December, 2016; highest incidences were reported in November (n=180, 42%). During the study 12 mortality cases were reported giving the mortality rate of 2.81%.