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Risk factors for giardiasis: a case-control study in Avon and Somerset

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

S. F. Gray ,
D. J. Gunnell  and
T. J Peters
S. F. Gray*
Affiliation:
Research and Development Directorate, South Western Regional Health Authority, Canygne Hall, Whiteladies Ed, Bristol BS8 2PR
D. J. Gunnell
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, University of Bristol
T. J Peters
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, University of Bristol
*
* Correspondence and reprint requests to S. F. Gray.
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Summary

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Giardia lamblia is a common and increasing cause of gastrointestinal illness in the UK. We report a case-control study that examined risk factors for giardiasis. Patients with giardiasis were identified from reports to the Consultants in Communicable Disease in1 Avon and Somerset, and age-sex matched controls were obtained from their general practitioners' lists. Details of travel history, water consumption and recreational water use were collected by postal questionnaire. Over the period July 1992 to May 1993, 74 cases and 108 matched controls were obtained. The data were analysed using conditional logistic regression. Swimming appeared to be an independent risk factor for giardiasis (odds ratio 2·4, 95% CI 1·0 to 6·1, P = 0·050). Travel (P = 0·001), particularly to developing countries, and type of travel (P = 0·004) - that is, camping, caravanning or staying in holiday chalets - were also observed to be significant risk factors. Other recreational water use and drinking potentially contaminated water were found to be not statistically significant after adjustment for other factors.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 113 , Issue 1 , August 1994 , pp. 95 - 102
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

References

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