Open AccessA community‐based study of respiratory episodes in Melbourne, Australia
Author(s) -
Leder Karin,
Sinclair Martha I.,
Mitakaki Teresa Z.,
Hellard Margaret E.,
Forbes Andrew,
Fairley Christopher K.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.2003.tb00416.x
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory system , epidemiology , pediatrics , demography , longitudinal study , sociology , pathology
Objective: To provide recent data regarding the epidemiology of community‐based respiratory infections in Australia. Methods: A longitudinal study between 1997–99 involving collection of a health diary from 600 families in Melbourne. Results: More than 80% of study participants reported at least one respiratory episode over 15 months. An average of 2.2 respiratory episodes per person per year w as reported, with a mean episode duration of 6.3 days. On average, subjects were symptomatic for 4.2% of the study days. Compared with other age groups, children aged less than two years were most likely to have at least one respiratory episode, a greater number of episodes per person and the longest episode duration (6.8 days). Approximately one in three (28.7%) respiratory episodes were associated with a doctor's visit, and one in four (23%) necessitated time off school or work. Exposure to other people with respiratory symptoms was commonly reported. Conclusions: Respiratory infections are common, cause a significant amount of morbidity, and are major contributors to the total community health burden. Implications: The direct and indirect costs of respiratory infections to the community are substantial.