Demographic determinants forCampylobacterinfection in England and Wales: implications for future epidemiological studies

Abstract

SUMMARYDespite a significant public health burden the epidemiology of humanCampylobacterinfection remains blurred. The identification of demographic determinants forCampylobacterinfection is therefore essential for identifying potential areas for intervention. Demographic data from an active, population-based sentinel surveillance system forCampylobacterinfection (from 2000 until 2003,n=15 907) were compared with appropriate denominator data from the 2001 United Kingdom Census. Incidence was higher in males from birth until the late teens and in females from 20 to 36 years. Age- and gender-specific differences inCampylobacterincidence were observed in different ethnic and socioeconomic groups and hence are all major drivers forCampylobacterinfection. Epidemiological studies onCampylobacterinfection need to take these factors into consideration during design and analysis. The collation of detailed epidemiological data and its comparison with appropriate denominator data provides a valuable epidemiological tool for studying infection.