Risk factors for endemic giardiasis - association with contaminated water and food

Surin, J. and Mahdy, M.A. and Lim, Y.A. and Al-Mekhlafi, H.M. (2008) Risk factors for endemic giardiasis - association with contaminated water and food. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 79 (6). p. 81. ISSN 0002-9637,

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Abstract

This study was conducted to reassess the risk factors for giardiasis in communities of the Orang Asli (indigenous people) in Pahang, Malaysia. Stool samples were collected from 321 individuals (2-76 years old; 160 males, 161 females). Data were collected via laboratory analysis of faecal samples and a pre-tested standard questionnaire. River water samples were tested for Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. The overall prevalence of G. intestinalis infection was 23.7. Children 12 years old had the highest infection rate and have been identified as a high risk group (odds ratio (OR) = 6.2, 95 CI 1.5-27.0, P < 0.005). The risk of getting giardiasis also appeared to be significantly associated with drinking piped water (OR = 5.1, 95 CI 0.06-0.7, P < 0.005) and eating raw vegetables (OR = 2.4, 95 CI 0.2-0.6, P < 0.005). In conclusion, sociodemographic factors have always been associated with the high prevalence of Giardia infections in Malaysia. However, the present study also highlights the need to look into the possibility of other risks such as water and food transmission routes. In future, it is necessary that these two aspects be considered in control strategies.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: Surin, Johari Mahdy, Mohammad A. Lim, Yvonne A. Al-Mekhlafi, Hesham M. 57th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene DEC 07-11, 2008 New Orleans, LA Amer Soc Trop Med & Hyg
Uncontrolled Keywords: Giardiasis; Giardia intestinalis; Risk factors; Waterborne disease; Foodborne disease; Malaysia
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: jsurin johari surin
Date Deposited: 21 Jun 2012 01:02
Last Modified: 21 Jun 2012 01:02
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/3362

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