Trends, Patterns, and Incidence Rate of Season al Influenza among Dubai Population and Some Associated Factors, 2017-2-19

Background: WHO estimates that seasonal influenza may result in 290 000-650 000 deaths each year due to respiratory diseases alone. In addition, affected more than 10% of total population annually worldwide, Seasonal influenza is highly contagious disease; spreads easily, with rapid transmission in crowded areas including schools and nursing homes. Objectives: To study incidence rates, trends and patterns of seasonal influenza among Dubai population for the period of 2017-2019 and some of its associated factors. Materials and Subjects: A retrospective records review study was carried out using a convenience sample of 29,158 confirmed seasonal influenza cases reported in Emirate of Dubai for the period 2017-2019. All age groups, genders, nationalities, occupations, education and seasons were considered as associated factors. Findings: In terms of the socio-demographic aggregates, the results showed that males were more to report 53.42% seasonal influenza cases and 50% of the cases were reported among children 15 years and under. As for the nationalities, 54.37% of the seasonal influenza reported by Asian groups, while 14.59% of the seasonal flu cases were among The Emirati population. As per occupation status, 30.74% of total seasonal influenza cases were among students in Dubai and 5.22% among housewives. On the other hand, the study revealed that 84.53% of the total seasonal influenza cases during 2017- 2019 were handled at outpatient level, yet the remaining percent required hospital admission. Incidence rate per 100,000 population were increased from 2017 through out 2019 (168 and 466 per 100,000 population, respectively). The study revealed that 30.74% of total seasonal influenza were students in Dubai, 84.53% of the total seasonal influenza cases during 2017-2019 were managed at outpatient. yet 15.47% were sever enough cases to be admitted and treated at inpatient level of different health care facilities in Dubai. Incidence among Egyptian was 557/100,000, while among Emirates, 325 /100,000. The present study revealed a seasonality pattern of seasonal influenza cases in Dubai in 2017-2019 as noted from the monthly distributions of cases, where the highest (21.4%) reported in November, followed by 18.2% in December, and the least was in July (2%). The study showed that 30.74% of total seasonal influenza were students in Dubai, 84.53% of the total seasonal influenza cases during 2017-2019 were managed at outpatient. yet 15.47% were sever enough cases to be admitted and treated at inpatient level of different health care facilities in Dubai. Incidence among Egyptian was 557/100000, while among Emirates, 325 /100000, Incidence rate of seasonal influenza 2017-2019 according to age distributions showed that 30.7% among students, and 7.8% among children preschool age, and 5.22% among housewives. The present study showed that the incidence rate of seasonal influenza in Dubai in 2017-2019 as per moth distributions was the highest, 21.4% in November followed by 18.2% in December, and the least was 2% in July. Conclusions: Incidence rates of seasonal influenza in the Emirates of Dubai keep increasing during the last three years, the highest rates was among children under 15 years old, followed by the elderly group as well. The incidence rate of seasonal influenza shows a seasonality pattern with the highest rates reported from October to end of February annually.