Abstract
Objective: To determine the chicken pox
demographics, burden of disease and vaccine
awareness in a pediatrics outpatient.
Methodology: This prospective observational study
was conducted at pediatric department of Federal
General Hospital, Islamabad from 1st January 2018 to
31st December 2019. Patients of chicken pox, ≤ 13
years of age were enrolled and followed up till three
weeks either in OPD or on phone. Disease
demographics, vaccine awareness and burden of
disease were recorded. Data were analyzed on SPSS
version 26.
Results: Out of 81 primary cases, mean age was 5.3 ±
3.3 years with a slight female predominance. Index
cases sought medical attention more than contact
cases. There was disease burden in the form of school
(54%) and work absences (60%), significant
household cases (162), misuse of medicines (47%),
complications (50%) and poor knowledge about
available vaccine (79%). In 81 primary cases, there
were 162 secondary cases showing that chicken pox
involvement is more than what is reflected by hospital
records.
Conclusion: Out of hospital burden, morbidity of
disease was much higher. Complications were not
uncommon, especially in high risk groups. Vaccine
awareness was very low and need to be promoted and
should be targeted for children with comorbidities.
Keywords: Varicella, exposure, complications,
burden, awareness.
