[Risk factors in serologically diagnosed echinococcosis--a case control study in the Nemuro region of Hokkaido Prefecture].
To determine the risk factors for echinococcus infection, we conducted a case-control study in the Nemuro region of Hokkaido Prefecture. The cases included both clinically diagnosed patients with echinococcosis and registered persons who were seropositive. The control group was matched by residence, age (+/- 5 years) and sex. The data on the 99 cases and 430 controls were collected by mailed questionnaire. Because of the long latency of echinococcosis, we investigated the potential risk factors over two different periods-from 11-20 years before the time of registration, and from 10 years before the registration to the time of registration. For the 11-20 years before registration period, using well water as drinking water and cattle raising significantly increased the risk of echinococcosis. In the period 10 years before registration to the time of registration, hog raising also increased the risk. In contrast, drinking tap water decreased the risk. These results suggest the importance of a screening program, especially targeting people engaged in dairy farming and hog raising, as well as the need for extension of tap water services and health education on refuse disposal.
Yamamoto
N
N
Abashiri Public Health Center, Hokkaido Prefecrural Government.
Ohmiya
Y
Y
Kishi
R
R
Miyake
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002417:Cattle; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014881:Water Supply