Can social network analysis assist in the prioritisation of contacts in a tuberculosis contact investigation?

Kawatsu, Lisa; Izumi, Kiyohiko; Uchimura, Kazuhiro; Urakawa, Minako; Ohkado, Akihiro; Takahashi, I

doi:10.5588/ijtld.15.0378

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…SNA is the standard quantitative approach to the study of relationships among nodes, as in the case of individuals with tuberculosis. For instance, this methodology has been used in order to study how tuberculosis is transmitted during endemic and epidemic periods, 7 - 12 making it possible to identify the individuals and characteristics that facilitate transmission.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of tuberculosis with multimorbidity and social networks

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The combination of tuberculosis with other diseases can affect tuberculosis treatment within populations. In the present study, social network analysis of data retrieved from the Mexican National Epidemiological Surveillance System was used in order to explore associations between the number of contacts and multimorbidity. The node degree was calculated for each individual with tuberculosis and included information from 242 contacts without tuberculosis. Multimorbidity was identified in 49.89% of individuals. The node degrees were highest for individuals with tuberculosis + HIV infection (p < 0.04) and lowest for those with tuberculosis + pulmonary edema (p < 0.07). Social network analysis should be used as a standard method for monitoring tuberculosis and tuberculosis-related syndemics.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of tuberculosis with multimorbidity and social networks

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…76 It found that betweenness scores (but not centrality scores) were useful for identifying contacts at greater risk of latent TB infection (significant association for contacts with higher betweenness score and latent TB infection, OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.96; p = 0.020). However, the complexity and time-consuming nature of the method reduces the potential for its incorporation into routine contact investigations.…”

Section: Results Of the Reviewmentioning

confidence: 96%

Interventions to improve contact tracing for tuberculosis in specific groups and in wider populations: an evidence synthesis

Baxter

Goyder

Chambers

et al. 2017

Health Serv Deliv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe tracing and screening of people who have had contact with an active case of tuberculosis (TB) is an important element of TB control strategies.ObjectivesThis study aimed to carry out a review of evidence regarding TB contact tracing, with a particular emphasis on research that was applicable to TB contact tracing in specific population groups in the UK.DesignAn evidence synthesis of literature of any study design on TB contact tracing in developed countries was carried out.SettingAny setting.PopulationIndividuals found to have active TB disease, and people who have come into contact with them.InterventionsContact-tracing investigations.Main outcome measuresAny outcome related to TB infection, contact investigations and/or the views of staff, people with TB disease, or their contacts.Data sourcesSearches for research published 1995 onwards were undertaken in the following databases: MEDLINE via Ovid SP, EMBASE via Ovid SP, EconLit via Ovid SP, PsycINFO via Ovid SP, Social Policy and Practice via Ovid SP, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature via EBSCOhost, Science and Social Science Citation Indices via Web of Science and The Cochrane Library via Wiley Online Library.Review methodsThe study comprised a review of TB contact tracing in specific population groups and a review in wider populations. A narrative synthesis was completed and a logic model was developed from the literature.ResultsThere were 112 articles in the review: 23 related to specific populations and 89 related to wider populations. The literature was of limited quality, with much general description of investigations. We identified only two (uncontrolled) studies that could be considered evaluative. Although the limitations of the evidence should be recognised, the review suggested the following: the value of a location-based approach, working with local communities and the media, partnership working, using molecular epidemiological testing, ensuring adequate systems and addressing fear of stigma. The literature on investigations for specific populations has much concordance with that reporting findings from wider population groups. The recognised limitations of conventional investigation methods may, however, be exacerbated in specific populations.LimitationsThe English-language inclusion criterion may have limited the breadth of countries represented. A meta-analysis was not possible owing to the nature of the literature. Relevant studies may have been missed by our searches, which used terminology relating to contact tracing rather than to active case finding or screening.ConclusionsThe review identified a sizeable volume of literature relating to contact investigations. However, it is currently predominantly descriptive, with little evaluative work underpinning investigations in either specific or wider populations. Our findings are, therefore, based on limited evidence. Further research is required if robust conclusions are to be made.Future workResearch should further explore the development of measures that can be used to compare the effectiveness of different contact investigations, in studies using evaluative designs.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

show abstract

“…Kawatsu et al . evaluated the effectiveness of SNA in prioritising TB contacts in Japan and found that contacts with a high betweenness score were more likely to be diagnosed as LTBI. Most studies recommended using betweenness score for prioritising rather than degree score.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cook et al [12] reported a correlation between TST-positive status and a compact subgroup so-called "K-complex" to help prioritise contacts. Kawatsu et al [28] evaluated the effectiveness of SNA in prioritising TB contacts in Japan and found that contacts with a high betweenness score were more likely to be diagnosed as LTBI. Most studies recommended using betweenness score for prioritising rather than degree score.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of network analysis multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis contact investigation in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Boonthanapat

Soontornmon

Pungrassami

et al. 2019

Tropical Med Int Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective To characterise MDR‐TB outbreak and incorporate social network analysis with contact investigation to detect case–contact linkages and clusters. Methods MDR‐TB cases registered in the district hospital between October 2012 and September 2015 were interviewed and their contacts were investigated. A relationship‐based weighted network was constructed. Results Among 43 interviewed MDR‐TB cases, 20 (47%) were male, five (12%) were asymptomatic (and discovered incidentally) and 22 (51%) had underlying diseases. From the documented 115 contacts, 61 (53%) were household contacts and 49 (43%) were close (non‐household) contacts; 70 (61%) were screened for TB using various tests. In this network, we prioritised 37 contacts connected with more than one MDR‐TB patient. The largest cluster was identified in the pharmacy unit of the hospital. Conclusion This investigation yielded a significant number of MDR‐TB contacts, and social network analysis facilitated the prioritisation for screening. Social network analysis is useful and feasible in this program setting and complements MDR‐TB contact investigation.

show abstract

Can social network analysis assist in the prioritisation of contacts in a tuberculosis contact investigation?

Abstract: Our results showed the potential of a betweenness score in prioritising contacts during TB contact investigation.

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Association of tuberculosis with multimorbidity and social networks

Association of tuberculosis with multimorbidity and social networks

Interventions to improve contact tracing for tuberculosis in specific groups and in wider populations: an evidence synthesis

Use of network analysis multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis contact investigation in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About