title: Burden and impact of acute gastroenteritis and foodborne pathogens in Trinidad and Tobago.
abstract: Objectives of this study were to determine the burden and impact of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and foodborne pathogens in Trinidad and Tobago. A retrospective, cross-sectional population survey, based on self-reported cases of AGE, was conducted in November-December 2008 and May-June 2009 (high- and low-AGE season respectively) by face-to-face interviews. From 2,145 households selected to be interviewed, the response rate was 99.9%. Of those interviewed, 5.1% (n = 110; 95% CI 4.3-6.2) reported having AGE (3 or more loose watery stools in 24 hours) in the 28 days prior to the interview (0.67 episodes/person-year). Monthly prevalence of AGE was the highest among children aged < 5 years (1.3 episodes/year). Eighteen (16%) persons with AGE sought medical care (4 treated with oral rehydration salts and 6 with antibiotics), and 66% reported restricted activity [range 1-16 day(s)]. The mean duration of diarrhoea was 2.3 days (range 2-10 days). One case submitted a stool sample, and another was hospitalized. Overall, 56 (10%) AGE specimens tested positive for foodbome pathogens. It was estimated that 135,820 AGE cases occurred in 2009 (84% underreporting), and for every 1 AGE case reported, an additional 6.17 cases occurred in the community. The estimated economic cost of AGE ranged from US$ 27,331 to 19,736,344. Acute gastroenteritis, thus, poses a huge health and economic burden on Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: Carelene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lakhan
authors.forename: Neela
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Badrie
authors.forename: Adash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramsubhag
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundaraneedi
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Indar
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult