Study of Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Typhoid

Author(s):

Farhan Essa, Syed Zohaib Maroof Hussain, Daniya Batool, Ahsan Usman, Umar Khalid, Uzair Yaqoob* and Huma Shahzad

Objective: Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium named Salmonella typhi, having reservoir in contaminated food and water. It affects considerable number of populations of the world but regions of Southeast Asia are most commonly affected. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of typhoid fever with respect to age groups, genders, and areas of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted at Dr. Essa laboratory & Diagnostic Centre, Karachi, from March to August 2017. Those presenting with complains of fever and abdominal pain underwent Typhidot test for the diagnosis of typhoid fever.

Result: Total 1175 tests were performed, out of which 207 came out to be positive. Out of these positive tests, 20.58% were males and 14.33% were females. When authors observed the relation to months (in the six months involved), the prevalence was highest in the month of April (29.34%). The prevalence was more in infancy and school going kids.

Conclusion: The prevalence of typhoid fever is higher in males, mostly of school going age. The incidence increases as the temperature rises. Moreover, poor hygienic conditions directly influence the rate of typhoid fever prevalence.