Syed Mustafeel Aser Quadri, Mahjabeen Khan, Nikhat Yasmin.
Epidemiological Surveillance of Dengue Infections: A Community Based Study in Rural, Karachi (2010 - 2012).
Ann Abbasi Shaheed Hosp Karachi Med Dent Coll Jan ;20(1):4-9.

Objective: To determine the incidence cases and their demographic, clinical and haematological risk factors of dengue infections in a low resource rural community during outbreaks of 2010-2012 in Gadap town Karachi,Pakistan. Methods: An active surveillance data collection on epidemiological and clinical observations on patients with Dengue infections in a low resource community during 2010 - 2012 was done. The surveillance reports were collected from union councils of Gadap Town, Karachi. The diagnosis of Dengue fever, Dengue haemorrhagic fever and Dengue shock syndrome was confirmed by IgM and IgG anti bodies detection using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) technique based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The sampling technique was cluster random sampling from the union councils of Gadap Town, Karachi and sample size calculated was 350. Data was collected on a performa after informed consent of patients. Data analysis was done on SPSS version 16. Frequency was reported for categorical variables and chi-square test performed for statistical significance to determine associated risk factors among positive cases of dengue infections. Results: Out of 350, 105 (30%) cases had dengue infections in rural area of Gadap town Karachi. About 58 (16.6%) had dengue fever, 30 (8.6%) dengue haemorrhagic fever and 17 (4.9%) had dengue shock syndrome. Twelve patients died during treatment. Presence of fever and cutaneous manifestation were observed in all cases. The significant associated risk factors were found in female, unmarried having 5 years education and severe pain at p<0.001. Conclusion: In endemic areas during dengue surveillance dengue infections were found in 30% cases. The significant associated risk factors were female, unmarried, with 5 years education and severe pain. Febrile illness represented patients with typical clinical features and haematological findings suggestive of dengue fever.

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