The French Connection: The First Large Population-Based Contact Survey in France Relevant for the Spread of Infectious Diseases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Empirical social contact patterns are essential to understand the spread of infectious diseases. To date, no such data existed for France. Although infectious diseases are frequently seasonal, the temporal variation of contact patterns has not been documented hitherto.

Methods

COMES-F is the first French large-scale population survey, carried out over 3 different periods (February-March, April, April-May) with some participants common to the first and the last period. Participants described their contacts for 2 consecutive days, and reported separately on professional contacts when typically over 20 per day.

Results

2033 participants reported 38 881 contacts (weighted median [first quartile-third quartile]: 8[5-14] per day), and 54 378 contacts with supplem

SUBMITTER: Beraud G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4503306 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature