Journal articles
Risk factors for acquisition of meningococcal carriage in the African meningitis belt
Abstract : Objective
To investigate potential risk factors for acquisition in seven countries of the meningitis belt.
Methods
Households were followed up every 2 weeks for 2 months, then monthly for a further 4 months. Pharyngeal swabs were collected from all available household members at each visit and questionnaires completed. Risks of acquisition over the whole study period and for each visit were analysed by a series of logistic regressions.
Results
Over the course of the study, acquisition was higher in: (i) 5-to 14-year olds, as compared with those 30 years or older (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4–9.9); (ii) smokers (OR 3.6, 95% CI 0.98–13); and (iii) those exposed to wood smoke at home (OR 2.6 95% CI 1.3–5.6). The risk of acquisition from one visit to the next was higher in those reporting a sore throat during the dry season (OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.0–6.7) and lower in those reporting antibiotic use (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–0.56).
Conclusions
Acquisition of meningococcal carriage peaked in school age children. Recent symptoms of sore throat during the dry season, but not during the rainy season, were associated with a higher risk of acquisition. Upper respiratory tract infections may be an important driver of epidemics in the meningitis belt.
https://hal-amu.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02263733
Contributor : Isabelle Combe <>
Submitted on : Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 5:53:51 PM
Last modification on : Wednesday, June 23, 2021 - 12:10:02 PM
Contributor : Isabelle Combe <>
Submitted on : Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 5:53:51 PM
Last modification on : Wednesday, June 23, 2021 - 12:10:02 PM
File
tmi.13203.pdf
Publication funded by an institution
Licence
Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License