Analysis of Dengue Infection Severity among Ethnics in Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Dengue infection prevalence remains high in tropical countries, including Indonesia, whereas the government had struggled to overcome the disease. Indonesia has very diverse ethnicities living across the archipelago, there might be a wide variety of susceptibility and severity. Objective: This research was aimed to analyse ethnicity as a risk factor for dengue infection severity in Surabaya, Indonesia. Design and Methods: This research observed Dengue Hemorrhage Fever (DHF) or Dengue Fever (DF) patients aged over 12 years, who were hospitalized in three private hospitals in Surabaya. Data collection was conducted from March 20, 2013 to May 20, 2013 with a sample size of 95 patients. Ethnicity, dengue infection severity, clinical findings, and relevant laboratory information data were obtained. This was a cross-sectional study design with consecutive sampling. All data were analysed using SPSS 17.00 software. The statistical analysis was performed at a significance level of p-value <0.005 using the chi-square test. Results: The majority of patients who suffered from severe dengue infection based on WHO classification and bleeding symptoms were Chinese patients (82.1%). The laboratory results pointed out Chinese patients had the highest hemoglobin concentration (15.62 ± 1.70 %), highest PCV (44.90 ± 4.23 g/dl), and the lowest platelets (31.42 ± 22.05 x 103µl). There were significant dengue infection severity difference (p=0.015), hemoglobin increase (p=0.004), PCV (0.024), and platelets (p=0.006) between Chinese, Javanese, and other ethnicities. Conclusion: Chinese ethnic had the highest risk of suffering severe dengue infection in Surabaya.