Risk-factors for human infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi: a case-control study in Korea

ABSTRACTA case-control study was conducted involving 156 patients with scrub typhus and 130 controls. Three factors were associated significantly with the risk of developing scrub typhus: engaging in fruit farming (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.04–5.69), gathering chestnuts (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.09–3.87) and taking breaks in areas adjacent to agricultural operations (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.50–6.22). In contrast, receiving information or educational materials concerning the prevention of scrub typhus had a protective effect (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.24–0.83). These results suggest that a health education programme will lower the risk of developing scrub typhus when applied to high-risk groups.