A CASE-CONTROL STUDY EXAMINING RISK-FACTORS FOR INVASIVE HAEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE TYPE-B DISEASE IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA 1988-90

Objective: To determine whether day-care attendance was a risk factor for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease, particularly for epig lottitis. Methodology: A case-control analysis of risk factors for inv asive Hib disease was performed in Victoria, Australia between Februar y 1988 and February 1990 prior to the introduction of immunization for Hib. A total of 210 cases and 367 day surgery hospital controls were enrolled prospectively. Data were collected by questionnaire at the ti me of admission. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that ris k factors for meningitis were day-care attendance, household crowding and recent illness in a sibling. Risk factors for epiglottitis were da y-care attendance and mother's birthplace in Australia or New Zealand. Conclusions: This study confirms that day-care attendance is a risk f actor for Hib epiglottitis as well as meningitis. In addition, the mot her's birthplace in Australia or New Zealand is a risk factor for epig lottitis in these data. The reason for this latter observation is uncl ear.