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 epiglottitis.

METHODOLOGY

A case-control analysis of risk factors for invasive Hib disease was performed in Victoria, Australia between February 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 time of admission.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for meningitis were day-care attendance, household crowding and recent illness in a sibling. Risk factors for epiglottitis were day-care attendance and mother's birthplace in Australia or New Zealand.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that day-care attendance is a risk factor for Hib epiglottitis as well as meningitis. In addition, the mother's birthplace in Australia or New Zealand is a risk factor for epiglottitis in these data. The reason for this latter observation is unclear.