Risk Factors of Enteric Fever in Children — A Study in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Résumé

Introduction: Enteric fever, or typhoid fever, is a systemic infection mainly caused by Salmonella typhi and occasionally by Salmonella paratyphi A, B, and C. It is especially common in children in areas with poor sanitation and limited clean water. Identifying risk factors is essential for effective prevention and control. This study aimed to assess the risk factors of enteric fever in children. Methods & Materials: This case-control type of study was conducted in Department of Paediatrics, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from January, 2023 to June, 2023. In the case group, 59 children with enteric fever were enrolled using purposive sampling. The control group included 59 age-matched healthy children. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The study found significant differences between case and control groups in several areas. A higher percentage of cases (61%) were aged 5-10 years compared to controls (24%). Rural residence (17% vs. 12%), use of supply water (20% vs. 17%), crowded living conditions (32% vs. 14%), and poor sanitation habits (7% vs. 5% using hanging toilets, and 2% vs. 3% practicing open defecation) were more common among cases. Monthly family income and raw food consumption habits did not show significant differences. Conclusion: Age range of 5 to 20 years, rural residence, use of supply water, crowded living conditions, and poor sanitation habits are the risk factors risk factors of enteric fever.