Table 1 Overview and content of different questionnaires used and other data collection for the burden of gastroenteritis in Switzerland (BUGS) study
Data collection tool | Means of application | Frequency | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
Contact information questionnaire | Paper-based | 1× before enrolment | Address, e-mail, phone number, language, preferred means of communication (electronic questionnaire with link sent by e-mail [default] or paper-based questionnaire sent by postal mail) |
Screening questionnaire | Paper-based | 1× before enrolment | General demographic characteristics (age, sex), characteristics to assess eligibility; for those not willing to participate: reason for non-participation |
Baseline questionnaire | Electronic and paper-based | 1× at the beginning of the observation period | Baseline characteristics: detailed demographic characteristics, dietary habits, regular medication intake, chronic diseases, permanent and long-term exposure risks (e.g. occupational), general health seeking |
Weekly questionnaire | Electronic and paper-based | Weekly (52×) | Occurrence of gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and short-term/transient risk exposures (e.g. food consumption, travel) |
Illness questionnaire | Electronic and paper-based | After experiencing gastrointestinal signs and symptoms | Additional risk exposures (antibiotic use, hospital stay), disease determinants, health and help seeking, health care utilisation, (self-)medication (incl. antibiotic use), consultations, absence from work, ability to perform usual daily activities |
Stool sample (symptomatic) | Sampling kit sent to participant at baseline; upon instruction by study personnel participant sends to study laboratory | Selected episodes of acute gastroenteritis | Stool sample investigated for: Bacteria: Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Yersinia spp. (all culture and PCR); Clostridium difficile (RDT and PCR); Plesiomonas shigelloides, Vibrio spp., EAEC, EPEC, ETEC, EHEC (all PCR) Viruses: adenovirus, astrovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus (all PCR) Protozoa and parasites: Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cyetanensis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia Selected samples (depending on risk profile): additionally for cestodes, trematodes, nematodes and protozoa |
Stool sample (asymptomatic) | Sampling kit sent to participant; Participant sends to study laboratory | Max. 1× during observation period; random selection | Stool sample investigated for: Antibiotic resistance: ESBL, carbapenemase, fluoroquinolones; if carbapenemase-positive: MCR-1 Bacteria: Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella/EIEC, EHEC (all PCR) |
Stool sample questionnaire (asymptomatic) | Electronic and paper-based | Max. 1× during observation period; random selection | Risk factors for carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria, recent antibiotic consumption, visits to or stay in medical institutions, contact to animals and/or raw food |