Epidemiology of diarrhoeal disease in Malawi - a case study of cryptosporidiosis

Tracy Morse, Anthony Grimason, Huw Smith

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

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Abstract

A rural community based case control study was conducted in Malawi, over a 23 month period, to identify
determinants influencing human cryptosporidiosis in under fives. 96 home interviews were conducted in 24
communities (cases n=24; unmatched controls n=72). 61 risk factors were investigated by questionnaire,
combined with quantitative data from drinking water and domesticated animal stool samples. Cryptosporidium
oocysts were not detected in either sample type. Multivariate logistic regression of questionnaire data
revealed an increased risk of cryptosporidiosis associated with ownership of pigs (OR7.2, 95%CI 1.9–27.5,
p=0.004), presence of diarrhoea in the household (OR8.8, 95%CI 1.8–53.4, p=0.008), bathing in the river
(OR76.7, 95%CI 1.1–23.8, p=0.037) and no education within the household (OR3.6, 95%CI 1.1–11.8,
p=0.038). Bacteriological results indicating faecal contamination of both drinking water stored within the
home, and the surface of guardians’ hands were indicative of poor hygienic practices and potential sources
of infection.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages9
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Event33rd WEDC International Conference - Accra, Ghana
Duration: 1 Jan 2008 → …

Conference

Conference33rd WEDC International Conference
Country/TerritoryGhana
CityAccra
Period1/01/08 → …

Keywords

  • epidemiology
  • diarrhoeal disease
  • Malawi
  • case study
  • cryptosporidiosis
  • epidemiology
  • health education
  • cryptosporidium
  • community

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