Acute Gastroenteritis in Ireland, North and South — a telephone survey

• Project start date: 1 December 2000
• Project status: Completed
• Discipline: Microbiology and food hygiene
• Author/s: Dr Margaret Fitzgerald, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dublin
• Collaborator/s: Single supplier

Research objective

This project involved a telephone survey to investigate the epidemiology of self–reported gastrointestinal symptoms, in terms of incidence, duration and seasonality. The project also aimed to determine the socio–demographic profile of those who reported illness, in order to determine the characteristics and risk factors with a view to prevention and health promotion policy.

This report was co-funded with Food Safety Authority of Ireland, National Disease Surveillance Centre, University College Dublin, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre-Northern Ireland and Food Standards Agency-Northern Ireland.

Outputs

Research report

• Title: Acute Gastroenteritis in Ireland, North and South - A Telephone Survey
• Publication date: 6 September 2003
• Summary: The research aimed to investigate how general practitioners (GPs) manage acute infectious gastroenteritis in Ireland. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study involved focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and a postal survey of GPs across Ireland. The survey, conducted in autumn 2002, gathered data on GP consultations, stool sample requests, treatment practices, and notification to public health authorities. The study duration was 18 months, with a 57% response rate from 1,204 surveyed GPs.
• Findings:
  • GPs in the North had more group practices and computerisation than those in Ireland.
  • Average of seven gastroenteritis consultations per week per GP.
  • Telephone consultations were more common in the Northern Ireland.
  • Children and younger adults were the most affected, with toddlers consulting more frequently.
  • 93% of GPs advised extra fluids and continued feeding.
  • No consensus on the use of anti-diarrhoeal agents.
  • Antibiotics prescribed for about 10% of cases, usually after consulting with a microbiologist.
  • Stool sample requests were based on illness duration, severity, suspicion of food poisoning, and recent travel.
  • Patient information on providing stool samples was often inadequate.
  • Notification of foodborne infections to public health was low, especially in Ireland.
  • Difficulty in transporting stool samples to laboratories was significant in Ireland.
• Recommendations:
  • Establish clear guidelines for the use of anti-diarrhoeal agents and antibiotics.
  • Develop collection services for stool samples in the South.
  • Laboratories should improve communication with GPs about diagnostic services.
  • Create patient information leaflets on providing stool specimens.
  • Enhance two-way communication between public health authorities and GPs.
  • Provide feedback to GPs on notifications and laboratory reports.
  • Address GP concerns about patient confidentiality and notification processes.
  • Develop a postgraduate GP training module on managing acute gastroenteritis.
  • Coordinate undergraduate and postgraduate training on infectious diseases, focusing on primary care, laboratory sciences, and public health.
  • Designate a resource person to develop and implement the training curriculum.
  • Develop appropriate training materials, potentially using CDC resources as a model.