Temporal epidemiology of microfilaraemia among migrant workers entering Kuwait
2008

Microfilarial Infection in Migrant Workers in Kuwait

Sample size: 2449360 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Akhtar Saeed, Mohammad Hameed GHH, Michael Edwin

Primary Institution: Kuwait University

Hypothesis

What is the prevalence of microfilarial infection among migrant workers entering Kuwait and how has it changed over time?

Conclusion

The study found a recent steady decline in the prevalence of microfilarial infection among migrant workers in Kuwait.

Supporting Evidence

  • The overall prevalence of microfilaraemia positive migrant workers was 48 per 100,000.
  • An initial increase in microfilaraemia was observed from 1992 to 1996, followed by a decline.
  • The study utilized a third-order polynomial regression model to analyze trends.

Takeaway

This study looked at how many migrant workers in Kuwait have a certain infection over time, and it found that fewer workers are getting it now than before.

Methodology

The study analyzed monthly health examination data of migrant workers from 1992 to 2006 to estimate microfilarial infection prevalence and trends.

Potential Biases

Potential underestimation of infection prevalence due to the diagnostic method and timing of blood sample collection.

Limitations

The study could not evaluate the roles of various host and environmental factors due to limited data and used a diagnostic method with low sensitivity.

Participant Demographics

Migrant workers primarily from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

Statistical Information

P-Value

< 0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 18–32 in 1992; 95% CI: 74 – 108 in 1996; 95% CI: 25–41 in 2004

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-0500-1-8

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