Epidemiological study of food poisoning during the period 2001-2018 in the province of Kenitra

Abstract

Foodborne illnesses can be the cause of morbidity or mortality. Collective foodborne illnesses (TIAC) are generally benign; their epidemic nature can have a significant impact in terms of public health and socio-economic aspects. The present study intends to establish a database inherent to food poisoning specific to the province of Kenitra during the period 2001-2018. These data will help inform about the current situation and the epidemiological evolution during the summer seasons of the study period. This is a retrospective case study of collective food poisoning. The consulted files include data relating to the number and characteristics of intoxicated persons in the study area, the seriousness of the cases (hospitalization, death), food and germ in question, and the factors that promote such an outbreak. The results show that, between 2001 and 2018, 43 outbreaks of TIAC were notified in the province of Kenitra, involved 367 patients (69 hospitalized and 2 deaths). The gender distribution of our sample shows a female predominance (sex ratio M/F = 0.65) with significant difference (p <0.01) (60.66% F; 39.34% M), and the age groups varied from 5 to + 30 years old of which 71.39% are under 25 years old.