A CASE-CONTROL STUDY TO DETERMINE RISK-FACTORS FOR CAMPYLOBACTER INFECTION IN CHRISTCHURCH IN THE SUMMER OF 1992-3

Aim. This study was designed to determine the risk factors for acquiri ng campylobacter infection in Christchurch in the summer of 1992/3. Me thods. A case control study was conducted of 100 cases and controls fr om urban areas matched for age and sex. Cases and controls were interv iewed by telephone using a questionnaire and results analysed using th e Epi Info statistical computer programme. Results. Eighty one percent of both cases and controls had recently consumed poultry. Eating poul try at a friends house (OR=3.18, CI 1.0, 10.73, p=0.03), at a barbecue (OR=3.00, CI 0.99, 9.34, p=0.03) or eating undercooked chicken (OR=4. 94, CI 1.03, 23.62, p=0.05) was a risk whereas eating at home was prot ective (OR=0.36, CI 0.14, 0.9, p=0.02). Other factors associated with increased risk were drinking water from a nonurban supply (OR=2.7, CI 0.89, 8.33, p=0.09) or consumption of chicken bought fresh (OR=1.8, CI 0.85, 3.82, p = 0.10). Conclusion. Poorly cooked or handled chicken i s a significant source of human campylobacter infection. Morbidity may be reduced by increased public awareness and improvement of cooking p ractices.