[Hygiene habits at the family level and typhoid]

We studied the relation of habits related to the fecal-oral cycle and incidence of typhoid fever in children attending the school system for 1 to 2 years and in their families. The goal was to identify a predictor to detect families at risk for typhoid fever. A sample of 80 school-mother dyads, 40 of high and 40 of low socio-economic status was studied. 20 children in each group had had typhoid fever. Logistic regression analysis allowed to identify dirty edges of the toilet bowl and nail eating habits as highly specific (97%) and sensitive (82%) index of risk. The predictor held both in high and low socio-economic groups and could be used to identify families at risk of developing typhoid fever.