Effect of Acute Illness on Contact Patterns, Malawi, 2017.

ABSTRACT: The way persons interact when ill could profoundly affect transmission of infectious agents. To obtain data on these patterns in Africa, we recorded self-reported named contacts and opportunities for casual contact in rural northern Malawi. We interviewed 384 patients and 257 caregivers about contacts over three 24-hour periods: day of the clinic visit for acute illness, the next day, and 2 weeks later when well. For participants of all ages, the number of adult contacts and the proportion using public transportation was higher on the day of the clinic visit than later when well. Compared with the day after the clinic visit, well participants (2 weeks later) named a mean of 0.4 extra contacts; the increase was larger for indoor or prolonged contacts. When well, participants were more likel

SUBMITTER: Glynn JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6924881 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature