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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Estimating the burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in the community in Gansu Province, northwest China, 2012–2013

Authors: Xiang-Lai Sang, Xiao-Cheng Liang, Yan Chen, Jian-Dong Li, Jing-Guang Li, Li Bai, Jian-Yun Sun

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) imposes considerable social and economic burden on low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the occurrence, distribution, and burden of self-reported AGI in Gansu Province of northwest China, where economic growth rates have lagged far behind those of other regions in China and systematic studies to investigate the burden of AGI are still lacking.

Methods

Twelve-month, retrospective face-to-face surveys were conducted in three sentinel sites between June 2012 and May 2013. Respondents were asked if they had experienced diarrhoea or vomiting in the 28 days prior to the interview.

Results

In total, 2094 interviews were completed. The adjusted monthly prevalence was 8.5% with an incidence rate of 1.16 episodes of AGI per person-year. Healthcare was sought by 73.8% of those reporting illness. Of the cases who visited a doctor, 50.5% submitted a stool sample. The use of antibiotics was reported by 65.6% of the cases and 53.3% took antidiarrhoeals. In the multivariable model, age, household income and sentinel site were significant risk factors of being a case of AGI.

Conclusions

The burden of AGI was considerable in Gansu Province of northwest China. Ongoing research to identify the main causes of AGI is needed for more accurate estimate of the burden of AGI in this region.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Estimating the burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in the community in Gansu Province, northwest China, 2012–2013
Authors
Xiang-Lai Sang
Xiao-Cheng Liang
Yan Chen
Jian-Dong Li
Jing-Guang Li
Li Bai
Jian-Yun Sun
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-787

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