A 4 Years Retrospective Study on the Sero-Positivity of Typhoid among Patients Attending General Hospital Mubi

Abstract

Typhoid fever constitutes significant health problems in developing countries. This study examines the trend of typhoid fever retrospectively over a 4-year period among patients attending general hospital Mubi, Adamawa State. Medical records of clinically diagnosed patients with confirmed Salmonella infections were reviewed for the said period. Laboratory diagnosis for typhoid cases in this hospital was based on Widal agglutination tests. The test was performed with standardized Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi O and H antigens and values of titre equal or greater than 1:160 for O and H agglutinins were regarded as positive. The result showed an overall prevalence rate of 81.5% (2011-2012) and 82.3% (2013-2014). Highest cases of typhoid fever was reported among females (97.7%) than males (69.8%) in the year 2011-2012 and among males (84.8%) than females (79.0%) in the year 2013-2014 but with no statistical difference (P=0.466). The age group 30-60yrs are the most infected in both 2011-2012 (86.2%) and 2013-2014 (85.0%) but with no statistical difference with that of other age brackets (P=0.118). Statistically, the yearly distribution of typhoid fever showed no significant difference (P=0.298). However, monthly distribution of typhoid fever in the years under review showed significant variations. The number of positive cases recorded in all the years under study was significantly higher in August (P=0.000), but with no statistical difference with those recorded in June (P=0.062) and July (P=0.078). More so, November and December recorded significantly lower cases (P=0.001) than all other months.