Urbanicity and Paediatric Bacteraemia in Ghana-A Case-Control Study within a Rural-Urban Transition Zone.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Systemic bacterial infections are a major cause of paediatric febrile illness in sub-Saharan Africa. Aim of this study was to assess the effects of social and geographical determinants on the risk of bacteraemia in a rural-urban transition zone in Ghana.

Methods

Children below 15 years of age with fever were recruited at an outpatient department in the suburban belt of Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city. Blood was taken for bacterial culture and malaria diagnostics. The socio-economic status of participants was calculated using Principle Component Analysis. A scale, based on key urban characteristics, was established to quantify urbanicity for all communities in the hospital catchment area. A case-control analysis was conducted, where children with and without ba

SUBMITTER: Sothmann P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4587855 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature