Socioeconomic inequalities in gastrointestinal infections - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring whether socioeconomic factors are associated with exposure to and consequences of common gastrointestinal infections
IRAS ID
182731
Contact name
Natalie Adams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health England
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Reducing the burden of gastrointestinal (GI) infection remains a national priority. Several studies have found differences in the burden of GI infection by socioeconomic group. Some studies based on laboratory data report higher rates of infection in more affluent groups, whilst those based on hospital data tend to report the opposite pattern, with higher admission rates in more disadvantaged groups. It is not known whether this pattern is due to differences by socioeconomic status (SES) in exposure to infection, in severity of illness or in help seeking behaviour. Infection control and health care interventions to prevent GI infection and its consequences in disadvantaged areas are currently being implemented without a full understanding of the factors influencing these risks.
Laboratory data on GI infections from Public Health England (PHE) will be linked to data recording treatment in primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary care (Hospital Episode Statistics) to investigate how social and therapeutic factors contribute to any differences in burden and complications across socioeconomic groups. We will also use PHE surveillance datasets for GI infections to allow for more in depth exploration of the ways in which SES may impact on risk, exposure and vulnerability to GI infections.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2138
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion