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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Evelyn Davila, MPH, Mary Jo Trepka, MD, MSPH, Frederick L. Newman, PhD, Tianna Sims, Zisca Dixon, PhD, and Fatma G. Huffman, PhD. Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St (HLS 557), Miami, FL 33199, (305)348-1838, edavi007@fiu.edu

Objective: To assess the burden of diarrheal illness among clients of a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program in Miami, Florida.

Methods: A 23-item cross-sectional survey of WIC clients was conducted, which included questions about demographics, food safety practices, and diarrheal illness of clients and household members. Diarrheal illness was defined as having at least 3 loose stools for 2 or more consecutive days during the previous 30 days.

Results: Of the 299 participants, 192 (64.2 %) were African American, 80 (26.8 %) were Hispanic, 16 (5.4 %) were Haitian, and 11 (3.7 %) were classified as other. Symptoms consistent with a diarrheal illness were reported by 28 (9.4 %) of the participants and varied by race/ethnicity: 10 (5.2 %) of African Americans, 14 (17.5 %) of Hispanics, 3 (18.7 %) of Haitians and 1 (9.1 %) of women in other race/ethnic groups. Symptoms consistent with diarrheal illness among any household member including the client were reported by 61 (20.4 %) of participants and by 12 (27.9 %) of the 43 households with an elderly or immunocompromised member.

Conclusions: WIC serves pregnant women, infants, and children, groups that are especially susceptible to foodborne illness. In this WIC clinic, symptoms consistent with diarrheal illness were more common among Haitian and Hispanic participants than participants of other ethnic groups. These findings highlight the need for interventions to prevent diarrheal illnesses among these groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Asses the burden of diarreal illness among WIC participants in Miami, Florida.
• Identify risk factors associated with diarrheal illness among WIC clients.
• Recognize the need for interventions to prevent diarrheal illness among certain population groups.

Keywords: Food Safety, Diarrhea

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered