Risk-factors for meningococcal disease in Victoria, Australia, in 1997.
In Victoria between 1990 and 1996, meningococcal infections occurred in 1-2/100,000 people each year, with sometimes devastating outcome. In 1997, a typical year, we conducted a case-control study of all cases notified to the State Disease Control Unit, to investigate personal, environmental and lifestyle risk factors. In bivariate analysis many exposures were statistically significantly different (at P = 0.01) in cases and controls. The level of risk, and specific risks, differed between children (under 16) and adults (16 years and over). In multivariate analysis few exposures remained significant (at P = 0.05). However, these included having a smoker amongst close contacts, exposure to construction dust, recent illness, a history of snoring and speech problems, and sharing a bedroom. Besides confirming some previously identified risk factors, this is the first time that snoring and speech problems have been identified as risk factors for meningococcal disease.
Robinson
P
P
Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute/Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria.
Taylor
K
K
Nolan
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology