title: Incidence of gastroenteritis in Norway--a population-based survey.
abstract: In 1999-2000 we conducted a one-year, retrospective population-based survey in Norway to estimate the incidence of gastroenteritis and study the association with selected exposures. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 3000 persons selected at random from the population registry, with 250 persons being contacted each month. The response rate was 61%. The incidence of acute gastroenteritis was 1.2 per person-year. The incidence was higher for women than for men. Of the total of 171 cases, 29 (17%) consulted a physician, 13 (8%) reported that a stool sample was taken, and 7 (4%) were admitted to hospital. Among children aged less than 15 years, drinking water from a private water supply was associated with illness, while using chlorinated water was protective. Among adults aged 20-40 years, travelling abroad was associated with illness. The incidence in our survey is similar to rates found by FoodNet in United States.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuusi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aavitsland
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gondrosen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kapperud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014881:Water Supply