Characterizing social behavior relevant for infectious disease transmission in four low- and middle-income countries, 2021-2023.

ABSTRACT: Infectious diseases account for nearly half of all child mortality worldwide, with most of the burden concentrated in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Person-to-person interactions, or 'contacts', facilitate the spread of respiratory and enteric pathogens. The number and nature of contacts likely vary across countries along with social and cultural norms, but few studies have compared behaviors across countries and none have done so with a focus on children. Here we present data from a population-based study conducted from 2021 to 2023 in Guatemala, India, Mozambique, and Pakistan. Across four countries, 5085 participants reported a total of 84,829 contacts across two days. Mean contact rates were highest among 10- to 19-year-olds except in Pakistan, where contacts were highest amon

SUBMITTER: Nelson KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12575605 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature