Epidemiology, etiology, and impact of traveler's diarrhea in Jamaica
JAMA
; 281(9): 811-7, Mar. 3, 1999.
Article
in English
| MedCarib
| ID: med-1407
Responsible library:
JM3.1
Localization: JM3.1; R11.A55
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT Traveler's diarrhea (TD) can incapacitate travelers. Characteristics of TD could be helpful in identifying individuals who might benefit from a vaccine against TD. OBJECTIVE:
To determine epidemiology, etiology, and impact of TD in Jamaica.DESIGN:
Two-armed, cross-sectional survey conducted between March 1996 and May 1997.SETTING:
To investigate epidemiology and impact, 30369 short-term visitors completed a questionnaire just before boarding their homebound aircrafts. To investigate etiology, 322 patients (hotel guests) with TD provided stool samples. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
Attack and incidence rates of reported diarrhea and of classically defined TD (> or = 3 unformed stool samples in 24 hours and > or = 1 accompanying symptom), incapacity, risk factors, and etiology.RESULTS:
The attack rate for diarrhea was 23.6 percent overall, with 11.7 percent having classically defined TD. For a mean duration of stay of 4 to 7 days, the incidence rate was 20.9 percent (all TD) and 10.0 percent (classic TD). Among airport respondents, the incapacity lasted a mean of 11.6 hours. Less than 3 percent of all travelers avoided potentially high-risk food and beverages. The most frequently detected pathogens were enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Rotavirus, and Salmonella species.CONCLUSIONS:
A realistic plan for reducing TD is needed. Preventive measures such as the improvement of hygienic conditions at the destination, and/or the development of vaccines against the most frequent pathogens associated with TD may contribute toward achieving this goal (Au)
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Collection:
International databases
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
/
Neglected Diseases
Health problem:
Target 3.3: End transmission of communicable diseases
/
Diarrhea
/
Neglected Diseases
Database:
MedCarib
Main subject:
Travel
/
Diarrhea
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Incidence study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
/
Screening study
Aspects:
Patient-preference
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
English Caribbean
/
Jamaica
Language:
English
Journal:
JAMA
Year:
1999
Document type:
Article