Determinants of postpartum disorders following early hospital discharge in Blantyre, Malawi
Loading...
Date
2020-03-21
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: Social mixing patterns shape the transmission of respiratory infections such as pneumococcus.
Understanding social contact structures may help inform precise prediction of pneumococcal
transmission dynamics, and optimise control strategies such as vaccination.
Type of research study: A quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study
The problem: What determines social mixing patterns that are relevant for pneumococcal transmission in
populations with high HIV prevalence? The objectives were: 1. To determine factors that are associated with Social contact types; Social contact frequency
2. To estimate age-specific rates of social contacts, relevant for pneumococcal transmission in
age groups: <1 years (infants), 1-5 (preschool), 6-15 (primary school), 16-19 (secondary
school), 20-49 (adults), and 50+ (elderly).
3. To determine the role in social contact rates of social contact place, adult HIV-infection status, spatial distance between place of contact and participant’s household. Data analysis methodology: 1. Multivariate regression analysis for factors associated with contact types and frequency.
2. Computed ratio of measured probability of a contact between individual age-groups to a null
model of the probability of that contact under an assumption of random mixing, resulting in
social contact matrices representing intensity of contacts between different age groups.
1.3. Stratification of social contact matrices by place of contact and HIV-infection status.
Inverse cumulative distribution for spatial distance and the number of contacts.
Expected findings:
1. Ratio of the mean number of contacts in each category of the factor (covariate) relative to
the reference category for each contact type and frequency. The mean number of daily contacts in age groups: <1 years (infants), 1-5 (preschool), 6-15
(primary school), 16-19 (secondary school), 20-49 (adults), and 50+ (elderly) presented as
social contact matrices.
3. Age-specific mean number of daily contacts stratified by place of contact and adult HIV
infection status presented as social contact matrices.
4. A cumulation distribution plot of spatial distance between contact place and participant’s
household and the mean number of contacts.
Dissemination of findings
The results of SOMIPA study will be shared with the College of Medicine Research Ethics
Committee, LSHTM Research Ethics Committee, Blantyre District Health Office (DHO),
host organisation, sponsor, the Malawi Ministry of Health, College of Medicine Library, the
University Research and Publication Committee and the Health Sciences Research
Committee. The results will also be shared to other researchers through peer-reviewed
publication, scientific conferences, dissemination seminar as well as written as a PhD
chapter for my PhD thesis.