Association between tuberculosis in men and social network structure in Kampala, Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Globally, tuberculosis disease (TB) is more common among males than females. Recent research proposes that differences in social mixing by sex could alter infection patterns in TB. We examine evidence for two mechanisms by which social-mixing could increase men's contact rates with TB cases. First, men could be positioned in social networks such that they contact more people or social groups. Second, preferential mixing by sex could prime men to have more exposure to TB cases.

Methods

We compared the networks of male and female TB cases and healthy matched controls living in Kampala, Uganda. Specifically, we estimated their positions in social networks (network distance to TB cases, degree, betweenness, and closeness) and assortativity patterns (mixing with adult

SUBMITTER: Miller PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8482622 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature