A preliminary study on the role of personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases on self-reported health across countries

Pfuhl, Gerit;Prazeres, Filipe;Kowal, Marta;Kervyn de Meerendré, Nicolas;et.al.
(2025) Public Health — Vol. 242, n° May 2025, p. 220-227 (2025)

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Authors
  • Pfuhl, GeritNorges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, Trondheim, Norway
    Author
  • Prazeres, FilipeFaculty of Health Sciences, Covilha, Portugal
    Author
  • Kowal, MartaUniversity of Wrocław, Poland
    Author
  • et. al.
Abstract
Objectives: Infectious diseases are often associated with decline in quality of life. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between personal history of communicable, i.e., infectious and parasitic diseases and self-rated health. Study design: Secondary analysis of a large dataset multi-country observational study. Methods: We used a four-pronged analysis approach to investigate whether personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases is related to self-reported health, measured with a single item. Results: Three of the four analyses found a small positive effect on self-reported health among those reporting a history of pathogen exposure. The meta-analysis found no support but large heterogeneity that was not reduced by two classifications of countries. Conclusion: Personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases does not reduce self-reported health across a global sample.
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Citations

Pfuhl, G., Prazeres, F., Kowal, M., Kervyn de Meerendré, N., & et al. (2025). A preliminary study on the role of personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases on self-reported health across countries. Public Health, 242(May 2025), 220-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.02.030 (Original work published 2025)