Domestic and travel-related foodborne gastrointestinal illness in a population health survey

Abstract

Routine surveillance data underestimate incidence of foodborne gastrointestinal (FGI) illness and provide little information on illness related to travel. We analysed data from the Welsh Health Survey to estimate population incidence, and to examine risk factors for FGI and factors associated with consulting a doctor. Reported frequency of any FGI in the 3 months before interview was 20.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 19.5-20.4; equivalent to 0.8 episodes per person-year], and for travel-related FGI was 1.6% (95% CI 1.5-1.8). In the final model, sex, age group, marital status, self-reported health, long-term illness, smoking and alcohol consumption were all independent predictors of FGI. People who consulted a doctor were likely to be older, in poorer health, taking regular medication, or to report mental illness. FGI is common but risk factors for illness and consultation differ and impressions of the epidemiology of the disease based on surveillance data are therefore distorted.

Sex and Gender Differences in Travel‐Associated Disease

“…Other analyses have suggested that male predominance in travelers' malaria is attributable to risktaking behavior [10] or to poorer adherence to personal protection measures against mosquito bites and chemoprophylactic medication. With regard to diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness, there is some literature that shows that female sex is a predictor of diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness [25,26]. However, other epidemiological studies [27] and a recent retrospective survey found no association between sex and diarrhea [28], perhaps because of the small sample size included in that study (n p ).…”

Microbiological evaluation of ready-to-eat sandwiches served near hospitals and schools

“…Due to their widespread nature, foodborne diseases (FBD), especially gastrointestinal infections, have negative effects on human health. However the symptoms are often mild and self-limiting, and therefore many patients do not consult a doctor, fecal samples are rarely examined, and most cases are sporadic rather than part of an outbreak (19). Eating out has increased in popularity over recent years, with two-thirds of the population rarely or routinely consuming takeaways in 2000 (3).…”

Health Status and Personal Hygiene among Food Handlers Working at Food Establishment around a Rural Teaching Hospital in Wardha District of Maharashtra, India

“…Routine surveillance underestimates the incidence of food borne gastrointestinal illness related to food consumption in restaurants by approximately 20-38 times (Evan MR, 2006;Jones TF, 2006). Food contamination may occur at any point during its journey through production, processing, distribution, and preparation (Green L, 2005;Hennessy TW, 2004).…”