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APPLICATION OF STRATIFIED ANALYSIS IN EPIDEMIC INVESTIGATIONS : ANALYSIS OF AN OUTBREAK OF FOOD POISONING.

ABSTRACT: The present study demonstrates the use of stratified analysis when high (or low) risk is observed for two or more food items during the investigation of food poisoning, rather than simply implicating the item showing the highest risk. In this study an outbreak of food poisoning, which exhibited a clinico-epidemiological profile of Clostridium perfringens as the possible agent, was investigated using a case-control typology. Evaluation of food histories showed a high and significant odds ratio (OR) for a mutton dish (OR = 6.45, p < 0.001) and peas dish (OR = 5.6, p < 0.001), while a legume dish showed a protective effect (OR = 0.13, p < 0.001) which proved erroneous. Stratified analysis using Mantel-Haenszel procedure indicated that the risk due to mutton persisted even after adjusting for consumption of peas (adjusted OR = 4.22) or legume dish (adjusted OR = 4.25). The use of stratified analysis in investigating epidemics has been recommended.

SUBMITTER: Bhalwar R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5530229 | biostudies-other | 1995 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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