A household-based study of contact networks relevant for the spread of infectious diseases in the highlands of Peru.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few studies have quantified social mixing in remote rural areas of developing countries, where the burden of infectious diseases is usually the highest. Understanding social mixing patterns in those settings is crucial to inform the implementation of strategies for disease prevention and control. We characterized contact and social mixing patterns in rural communities of the Peruvian highlands.

Methods and findings

This cross-sectional study was nested in a large prospective household-based study of respiratory infections conducted in the province of San Marcos, Cajamarca-Peru. Members of study households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire of social contacts (conversation or physical interaction) experienced during the last 24 hours. We identified 9

SUBMITTER: Grijalva CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4348542 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature