Prevalence of Typhoid Fever in the Human Population of District Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), remains a major public health problem in the Asian sub-continent due to poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of typhoid fever in the human population of District Lower Dir, Pakistan.

Methods: A total of 395 suspected cases were screened using the Typhidot test. Positive cases were further categorized based on the presence of IgM, IgG, or both antibodies. Data were analyzed by gender, age groups, and month-wise distribution.

Results: Out of 395 cases, 204 tested positive, yielding an overall prevalence of 51.6%. The disease was more prevalent in females (54.4%) compared to males (45.6%). Among the positive cases, 141 (35.5%) were IgM positive, 14 (3.5%) were IgG positive, and 49 (12.4%) were positive for both IgM and IgG. The highest incidence (54.4%) was recorded in the 61–70 years age group. Month-wise analysis showed the maximum prevalence (100%) in August.

Conclusion: Typhoid fever is highly prevalent in District Lower Dir, with variation by gender, age, and season. Further studies are recommended to determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Effective control programs, promotion of safe drinking water, hygienic food practices, and public awareness campaigns are essential to reduce the disease burden.