Risk-factors for human infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi: a case-control study in Korea.

ABSTRACT

A case-control study was conducted involving 156 patients with scrub typhus and 130 controls. Three factors were associated significantly with the risk of developing scrub typhus engaging in fruit farming (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.04-5.69), gathering chestnuts (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.09-3.87) and taking breaks in areas adjacent to agricultural operations (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.50-6.22). In contrast, receiving information or educational materials concerning the prevention of scrub typhus had a protective effect (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.24-0.83). These results suggest that a health education programme will lower the risk of developing scrub typhus when applied to high-risk groups.