The Correlation between the Environmental Risk Factors and Typhoid Disease Among Children and their Care Givers, Alqalioubiya Governorate

Abstract
Background: Typhoid disease remains an important pre-ventable public health problem. Typhoid is found all over the world, but the areas of risk include East and Southeast Asia and Africa particularly Egypt, most of typhoid deaths occur in children of school age or younger.
Aim of Study: To assess the correlation between the environmental risk factors and typhoid disease among children and their care givers, Alqalioubiya governorate.
Material and Methods: A descriptive correlative research design was utilized. Setting; study was conducted in 4 villages at Alqalioubiya governorate. A simple random sample of 313 participants was selected. Two tools were used; 1st tool a structured interviewing questionnaire includes 3 parts demo-graphic data, Knowledge and practices of the caregivers toward typhoid. 2nd tool an observational checklist for the home environment.
Results: Reveals that 47.9% of participants were aged 20 to less than 30 years old with mean ± SD=29.76±7.36. All participants had governmental water while 46% found it unsafe for drinking and food preparation. One fifth kept water tanks in bathrooms, moreover; 32% kept it unclean and 9.4% stored it till water turned off. All participants had trenches sewage disposal system. There were a highly statistically significant negative correlation found between the total knowl-edge and the family history toward typhoid (p=0.000). There were a highly statistically significant positive correlation found between the total knowledge and Total practice scores (p=0.000).
Conclusion: That risk of typhoid transmission not only affected by sanitation of the environment but also the practices within this environment.
Recommendations: Health education program to increase public awareness for typhoid prevention and regular exami-nation of food handlers. Safe water supply program and continuous monitoring to detect any leakage or fecal contam-ination.