Risk factors for typhoid fever in the Mekong delta, southern Viet Nam: a case-control study.
In order to identify risk factors for typhoid fever in a highly endemic area, we undertook a case-control study in the Mekong delta, Viet Nam. Cases were 144 consecutive patients admitted to hospital with blood culture-confirmed typhoid fever. Two controls (1 in the hospital and 1 in the community) were chosen for each case. Standardized interviews were conducted with questions regarding recent contact with a typhoid fever patient, eating habits, hygiene and socio-economic level. Cases were more likely to have been in contact with a patient with typhoid fever than hospital controls (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 5.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.7-15.9) or community controls (adjusted OR = 11.9, 95% CI 2.3-60.7); 11% and 14% of typhoid fever cases (compared to hospital or community controls, respectively) were attributable to recent contact with a patient with this disease. These findings suggest that strategies directed towards the persons in contact with a patient might reduce the incidence of secondary cases of typhoid fever.
Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Unit, Centre for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. christine.luxemburger@wanadoo.fr
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Luxemburger
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Chau
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Mai
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Wain
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Tran
J A
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Simpson
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Le
T T
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Nguyen
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White
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Farrar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology