Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

A Qualitative Exploration of Social Contact Patterns Relevant to Airborne Infectious Diseases in Northwest Bangladesh

Sabiena G. Feenstra
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Quamrun Nahar
Centre for Population, Urbanization and Climate Change, icddr,b, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

David Pahan
Rural Health Program Nilphamari, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Linda Oskam
KIT Biomedical Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Jan Hendrik Richardus
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In South Asia, the burden of infectious diseases is high. Socioeconomically and culturally-defined social interaction patterns are considered to be an important determinant in the spread of diseases that are transmitted through person-to-person contact. Understanding of the contact patterns in this region can be helpful to develop more effective control measures. Focus group discussions were used in exploring social contact patterns in northwest Bangladesh. The patterns were assessed for perceived relevance to the spread of airborne infectious diseases, with special focus on diseases, like leprosy and tuberculosis, in which the role of social determinants is well-recognized. Highly-relevant social contact patterns inside the home and the neighbourhood, across age and sex groups, were reported in all group discussions. Outside the home, women and girls reported relevant contacts limited to the close neighbourhood while men mentioned high relevant contacts beyond. This implies that, in theory, infectious diseases can easily be transmitted across age and sex groups in and around the home. Adult men might play a role in the transmission of airborne infectious diseases from outside this confined area since only this group reported highly-relevant social contacts beyond the home. This concept needs further exploration but control programmes in the South Asian region could benefit from considering differences in social contact patterns by gender for risk assessments and planning of preventive interventions.

Keywords: Airborne infectious diseases; Leprosy; Social contact patterns; Tuberculosis; Bangladesh

Location: Nilphamari and Rangpur districts in northwest Bangladesh

Start Date: 01-03-2009

End Date: 31-03-2009

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Diseases

Objectives:

1. The objective of this study was to explore social contact patterns in northwest Bangladesh in order to identify behavioural patterns that could facilitate spread of infectious diseases.

Methodology:

Study design - We used a qualitative method with focus group discussions to explore social contact patterns in northwest Bangladesh. This allowed us to elaborate on social contact patterns without predefined assumptions and to identify a broad range of ideas on the topic in a relatively short time. Study area - The study was carried out in Nilphamari and Rangpur districts in northwest Bangladesh. In this predominantly rural area, which is one of the poorest parts of the country, leprosy and tuberculosis are endemic (20,21). We conducted focus group discussions in two villages and one urban ward. The locations were selected in collaboration with field staff of the Rural Health Program (RHP) of The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh (TLMB), familiar with the region. We selected three areas with different living circumstances to be able to explore a variety of social contacts and local habits: an urban area in one of the main cities, a village proximate to a town, and a village without good access to the nearest town. Study population - In each of the three study areas, we formed four discussion groups, each with 10-12 healthy individuals, homogeneous for sex and age. An RHP volunteer supported the logistic management of the focus group discussions and recruited the participants. Since it was not possible to make homogeneous groups in terms of religion and socioeconomic background, we ascertained that, in all groups, the two main religions in the region (Muslim and Hindu), and different socioeconomic backgrounds were represented since these factors were expected to have influence on social contact patterns. In the two rural locations, male participants were mostly engaged in farming whereas, in the urban area, they had a variety of jobs ranging from day-labour to small business. Most female participants were housewives. In rural areas, however, all females were also involved in farming. Data collection - The focus group discussions took place in March 2009. Staff members of RHP, experienced in conducting group meetings, facilitated the focus group discussions, together with a social scientist. Before the start of the study, the RHP staff received training and written guidelines in Bangla and English. We organized the focus group discussions at an easyto- reach location within the selected villages and urban ward. Due to cultural reasons, the discussions with women took place in a yard with a fence or wall while, for the discussions with men, an easyto- reach outside location was chosen. An RHP staff member and a local volunteer assured the privacy by guarding the area and sending bystanders away. Participants and staff members were seated at the same level to create a good atmosphere for discussion and sharing of ideas and to minimize the hierarchy between researchers and participants. For good rapport, the female discussion groups were facilitated by a female staff member and male discussions by a male one. All meetings lasted for about one hour. The discussions were held in the local language (Bangla) and recorded with tape-recorders.

Source of Information: J HEALTH POPUL NUTR 2013 Dec;31(4):424-434; ISSN 1606-0997 | $ 5.00+0.20

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The framework of relevant social contact patterns as presented can be used as a start for further quantitative exploration on the association between social contact patterns and airborne infectious diseases in this region. The concepts revealed should be explored further but can be important for the control of infectious diseases in Bangladesh and other countries in South Asia. Control programmes in this region could benefit from considering differences in social contact patterns by gender, for risk assessments and planning of preventive interventions.

Knowledge Management: Journal