Abstract
BACKGROUND: Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis is a serious infection which is most common in young children and adolescents. This study investigated the relationships between the incidence and age distribution of meningococcal disease, and socioeconomic environment. METHODS: An ecological design was used, including mapping using a Geographical Information System (GIS) at census ward level. RESULTS: Incidence of meningococcal disease was highest in the most deprived wards, with a relative risk of 1.97 (1.55 - 2.51). Mapping revealed geographical coincidence of deprivation and meningococcal disease, particularly in urban areas. Two-thirds of the increased incidence was due to cases in the under fives. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that area deprivation is a risk factor for meningococcal disease, and that its effects are seen most in young children.
- adolescent,
- age
- analysis,
- areas,
- censuses,
- child,
- class,
- cluster
- distribution,
- ecological
- england,
- factors,
- fallacy,
- geographic
- health
- humans,
- incidence,
- infant,
- infections,
- informatics,
- information
- medical,
- meningitidis,
- meningococcal
- neisseria
- poisson
- poverty
- preschool,
- public
- risk
- social
- systems,
- topography,
- urban
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