The impact on primary care of a large waterborne campylobacter outbreak in Norway: a controlled observational study

Abstract

Objective Document the impact of an outbreak of gastroenteritis on local primary health care services, compared to a control period. Design Controlled observational study with data from the outbreak and a control period. Data obtained from electronic medical records (EMR) of general practitioners (GPs) and the out-of-hours (OOH) service. Telephone data from the OOH service’s telephone records. Setting Campylobacteriosis outbreak in Askøy municipality, Norway in 2019. Over 2000 individuals were infected. Subjects Patients in contact with GPs and the OOH service during the outbreak and a control period. Main outcome measures Patient contacts with GPs and the OOH service during the outbreak and a control period. Results There was a 36% increase in contacts during the outbreak compared to the control period (4798 vs. 3528), with the OOH service handling 78% of outbreak-related contacts. Telephone advice was the dominant method for managing the increase in contacts to primary care, both in OOH services and daytime general practice (OR 3.73 CI: [3.24–4.28]). Children aged 0–4 years had increased use of primary care during the outbreak (OR 1.51 CI: [1.28–1.78]). GPs referred 25% and OOH services referred 75% of 70 hospitalized cases. Conclusion The OOH service handled most of the patients during the outbreak, with support from daytime general practice. The outbreak caused a shift towards telephone advice as a means of providing care. Young children significantly increased their use of primary care during the outbreak.