Design and methods of a social network isolation study for reducing respiratory infection transmission: The eX-FLU cluster randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social networks are increasingly recognized as important points of intervention, yet relatively few intervention studies of respiratory infection transmission have utilized a network design. Here we describe the design, methods, and social network structure of a randomized intervention for isolating respiratory infection cases in a university setting over a 10-week period.

Methodology/principal findings

590 students in six residence halls enrolled in the eX-FLU study during a chain-referral recruitment process from September 2012-January 2013. Of these, 262 joined as "seed" participants, who nominated their social contacts to join the study, of which 328 "nominees" enrolled. Participants were cluster-randomized by 117 residence halls. Participants were asked to re

SUBMITTER: Aiello AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4903923 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature