Integrated Epidemiological Study of Valley Fever

Household Survey

We are surveying households in the Tucson area to evaluate risk factors for valley fever, including smoking. Unlike clinical studies, this population-based study has a better defined population to compare differences in the prevalence of valley fever. We are collecting information on factors related to potential exposure to the pathogenic fungus such as location of residence, type of work, and recreational activities. We are also collecting information about behaviors and conditions that may affect a person's susceptibility to infection.

We call randomly selected households in the Tucson area to identify people and dogs that have had valley fever. Households are selected from 102 areas in the greater Tucson area. The areas are based on 2000 Census block groups (neighborhood level of resolution). The areas were randomly selected based on landscape types (basin, riparian, and foothills) and ethnic composition (high and low composition of Hispanics).

Household members that report having had valley fever within the past 10 years at their current residence are asked to provide more detailed information about their lifestyle. For comparison, controls for the study are selected from case households, nearest non-case neighbor that is participating in the study, and randomly selected non-case study participants.

We are also asking more detailed questions about dog cases and similarly selected controls to evaluate differences in the epidemiology of disease between dogs and humans.