Volume 24, Number 2—February 2018
Dispatch
Epidemic Varicella Zoster Virus among University Students, India
Josh Meyers
, Muthunarayanan Logaraj, Balaji Ramraj, Padmanesan Narasimhan, and C. Raina MacIntyre
, Muthunarayanan Logaraj, Balaji Ramraj, Padmanesan Narasimhan, and C. Raina MacIntyre
Table 1
Demographics of participants in study of varicella outbreak at a private university in Chennai, India, February 2016–January 2017*
| Characteristic | Case patients, n = 77 | Controls, n = 77† | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex, % | |||
| M | 63 (81.8) | 63 (81.8) | NS—matched variable |
| F |
14 (18.2) |
14 (18.2) |
NS—matched variable |
| Age, y | |||
| Median | 18 | 18 | NS—matched variable |
| Range |
17–40 |
17–52 |
NS—matched variable |
| State of birth, % (SE) | 0.01 | ||
| Uttar Pradesh | 19 (24.7–4.9) | 6 (7.8–3.1) | |
| Tamil Nadu | 9 (11.7–3.7) | 14 (18.2–4.4) | |
| Andhra Pradesh | 8 (10.4–3.5) | 9 (11.7–3.7) | |
| Odisha | 6 (7.8–3.1) | 1 (1.3–1.3) | |
| Other/NA |
35 (45.5–5.7) |
47 (61.0–5.6) |
|
| Degree program,‡ % (SE) | 0.95 | ||
| Bachelor of Technology | 70 (90.9–3.3) | 70 (90.9–3.3) | |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Doctor of Medicine and Research | 2 (2.6–1.8) | 3 (3.9–2.2) | |
| Master of Technology | 1 (1.3–1.3) | 1 (1.3–1.3) | |
| NA |
4 (5.2–2.5) |
3 (3.8–2.2) |
|
| Student year or staff position, % (SE) | 0.82 | ||
| 1 | 63 (81.8–4.4) | 65 (84.4–4.1) | |
| 2 | 8 (10.4–3.5) | 7 (9.1–3.3) | |
| 3 | 1 (1.3–1.3) | 2 (2.5–1.8) | |
| Staff |
5 (6.5–2.8) |
3 (3.8–2.2) |
|
| Campus category, % | NS—matched variable | ||
| Resident | 72 (93.5) | 70 (90.9) | |
| Day student | 1 (1.3) | 4 (5.2) | |
| Staff |
4 (5.2) |
3 (3.8) |
|
| Self-reported vaccination for varicella, % (SE) | 0.10 | ||
| Yes | 26 (33.8–5.4) | 36 (46.8–5.7) | |
| No/not sure |
51 (66.2–5.4) |
41 (53.2–5.7) |
|
| Known exposure to varicella during study period, % (SE) | 0.03 | ||
| Yes | 26 (33.8–5.4) | 14 (18.2–4.4) | |
| No known exposure | 51 (66.2–5.4) | 63 (81.8–4.4) |
*NS, not stated; NA, not available.
†Controls were matched by age, sex, and place of residence (hostel residents were matched by hostel block).
‡Degree program was suspected as potentially contributing to transmission of the disease by close contact during classes.
Page created: January 17, 2018
Page updated: January 17, 2018
Page reviewed: January 17, 2018
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