Abstract
A central tenet of close-contact or respiratory infection epidemiology is that infection patterns within human populations are related to underlying patterns of social interaction. Until recently, few researchers had attempted to quantify potentially infectious encounters made between people. Now, however, several studies have quantified social mixing behaviour, using a variety of methods. Here, we review the methodologies employed, suggest other appropriate methods and technologies, and outline future research challenges for this rapidly advancing field of research.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2117-2130 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Epidemiology and infection |
Volume | 140 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2012 |
Keywords
- Contact diary
- infectious disease control
- mathematical modelling
- proximity
- social mixing
- social network
- transmission
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases