Risk factors for indigenous campylobacter infection: a Swedish case-control study

Abstract

A case-control study was conducted in western Sweden (Älvsborg County). The aim of the study was to identify any special food items or behaviours associated with an increased risk of contracting campylobacter infection. A total of 101 cases and 198 controls were matched for age, sex and district of residence. The following risk factors or risk behaviours were associated with campylobacter infection: drinking unpasteurized milk (OR 3·56, 95% CI 1·46–8·94), eating chicken (OR 2·29, 95% CI 1·29–4·23), or eating pork with bones (chops OR 2·02, 95% CI 1·17–3·64; loin of pork OR 1·83, 95% CI 1·07–3·12), barbecuing (OR 1·98, 95% CI 1·10–4·34), and living or working on a farm (farm OR 3·06, 95% CI 1·58–6·62, hen/chicken-breeder OR 3·32, 95% CI 1·56–6·78), daily contact with chickens or hens (OR 11·83, 95% CI 3·41–62·03).