Integrating social contact and environmental data in evaluating tuberculosis transmission in a South African township.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Population models of tuberculosis transmission have not accounted for social contact structure and the role of the environment in which tuberculosis is transmitted.

Methods

We utilized extensions to the Wells-Riley model of tuberculosis transmission, using exhaled carbon dioxide as a tracer gas, to describe transmission patterns in an endemic community. Drawing upon social interaction data and carbon dioxide measurements from a South African township, we created an age-structured model of tuberculosis transmission in households, public transit, schools, and workplaces. We fit the model to local data on latent tuberculosis prevalence by age.

Results

Most tuberculosis infections (84%) were estimated to occur outside of one's own household. Fifty percent of in

SUBMITTER: Andrews JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4133578 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature