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Risk factors for meningococcal disease in university halls of residence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2001

S. J. NELSON ,
A. CHARLETT ,
H. J. ORR ,
R. M. BARKER ,
K. R. NEAL ,
C. TAYLOR ,
P. N. MONK ,
M. R. EVANS  and
J. M. STUART
S. J. NELSON
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (South West), Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester GL1 3NN
A. CHARLETT
Affiliation:
PHLS Statistics Unit, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ
H. J. ORR
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (South West), Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester GL1 3NN
R. M. BARKER
Affiliation:
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority, Oakley Road, Southampton SO16 4GX
K. R. NEAL
Affiliation:
Public Health Medicine & Epidemiology, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UM
C. TAYLOR
Affiliation:
Student Welfare Office, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH
P. N. MONK
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Leicestershire Health, Gwendolene Road, Leicester OE5 4QS
M. R. EVANS
Affiliation:
Bro Taf Health Authority, Temple of Peace & Health, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NW
J. M. STUART
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (South West), Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester GL1 3NN
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Abstract

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A retrospective ecological study was undertaken to identify social and environmental factors associated with increased incidence of meningococcal disease in university halls of residence. A standardized questionnaire was sent to UK universities and colleges of higher education outside London, for distribution to halls containing at least 50 students. Incidence rate ratios of invasive meningococcal disease were obtained for a range of social and environmental variables. Multi-variable Poisson regression analysis identified 3 factors as having a strong association: a high proportion of first year undergraduate residents (P = 0·0008), decreasing smokiness of the hall bar (P < 0·0001), and opening of hall bar before 1990 (P = 0·0001). The inverse relationship between disease incidence and smokiness of bars was an unexpected finding, and may be due to confounding factors. Universities should continue to promote awareness of meningococcal disease, encourage vaccination of first year students against serogroup C disease, and where appropriate, take measures to reduce overcrowding.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 126 , Issue 2 , April 2001 , pp. 211 - 217
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press