Fortuin-de Smidt, Melony Cathlin2014-02-252014-02-252013-04http://hdl.handle.net10539/13947A research report submitted to the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Johannesburg, April 2013Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib) was a major cause of childhood disease but has nearly been eliminated in developed countries after the introduction of Hib conjugate vaccine. An increase in non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi) disease was observed in some countries post-Hib vaccination which prompted concerns about possible serotype replacement. Hib disease in children <5 years of age decreased by a minimum estimate of 71% in South Africa after the Hib vaccine introduction in 1999. The epidemiology of Hib disease among persons >5 year olds and NTHi disease in all ages has not been described in South Africa before. The aim of this study is therefore to describe the trends and factors associated with invasive Hib and NTHi disease in South Africa, 2003-2009 among persons of all ages.enHaemophilus influenzaeThesis