title: Estimating the burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in Grenada.
abstract: This is the first study conducted in Grenada, with a population of approximately 108,000, to quantify the magnitude, distribution, and burden of self-reported acute gastroenteritis (AGE). A retrospective population survey was conducted in October 2008 and April 2009 and a laboratory survey from October 2008 to September 2009. The estimated monthly prevalence of AGE was 10.7% (95% CI 9.0-12.6; 1.4 episodes/ person-year), with a median of 3 days of illness. Of those who reported AGE, 31% sought medical care (stool samples were requested from 12.5%); 10% took antibiotics; 45% took non-prescribed medication; and 81% reported restricted activity. Prevalence of AGE was significantly higher among children aged <5 years (23.5%, p < 0.001). Of the AGE stool samples submitted to the laboratory for analysis, 12.1% were positive for a foodborne pathogen. Salmonella enteritidis was the most common foodborne pathogen associated with AGE-related illness. The estimated percentage of underreporting of syndromic AGE to the Ministry of Health was 69%. In addition, for every laboratory-confirmed foodborne/AGE pathogen, it was estimated that there were 316 additional cases occurring in the population. The minimum estimated cost associated with treatment for AGE was US$ 703,950 each year, showing that AGE has a potentially significant economic impact in Grenada.
authors.forename: Lindonne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Glasgow
authors.forename: Martin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Forde
authors.forename: Samuel C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Antoine
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Indar
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D019425:Grenada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult