EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VARICELLA IN KON TUM PROVINCE IN 2018

Abstract: Background: In Vietnam, the number of people suffered from Varicella was high, accounting for 25.000 – 40.000 cases and children were dominant. In Kon Tum, the annual number of Varricella cases remains high, the average 5-year period from 2013-2017 was 779 cases per year. Objective: The study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of Varicella in Kon Tum province in 2018. Methodology: The retrospective description was conducted among 368 Varicella patients in Kon Tum Province from January to December 2018. Data collection was based on the Varicella monthly reporting form of the Kon Tum Center for Disease Control. Results: The cumulative prevalance of Varicella/100.000 people was 68.8. The distribution of Varicella in region III was highest, accounting for 52.7%. The Varicella experienced all months of the year, and in March had the highest number of infectious cases, accounting for 51%. The cumulative prevalence of Varicella/100.000 people among women was 78.6, the figure for was 60,0. The incidence of Varicella/100.000 people in the group under 5 years old was the highest (286.6). The cumulative prevalemce of Varicella/100.000 people in ethnic minorities was nearly 3 times higher than that of the Kinh people. The distribution of Varicella in young children accounted for the highest proportion (45.6%). Conclusion: There was a need in further strengthening health communication and education for people on preventing and controlling Varicella, especially for ethnic minorites. Key words: epidemiological characteristics, varicella, Kon Tum, Vietnam