Risk factors for acquisition of meningococcal carriage in the African meningitis belt Cooper, L.V. Robson, A. Trotter, C.L. Aseffa, A. Collard, J.M. Daugla, D.M. Diallo, A. Hodgson, A. Jusot, J.F. Omotara, B. Sow, S. Hassan-King, M. Manigart, O. Nascimento, M. Woukeu, A. Chandramohan, D. Borrow, R. Maiden, M.C.J. Greenwood, B. Stuart, J.M. /Trape, Jean-François et al. 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. 2019 text https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010093839 fdi:010093839 Cooper L.V., Robson A., Trotter C.L., Aseffa A., Collard J.M., Daugla D.M., Diallo A., Hodgson A., Jusot J.F., Omotara B., Sow S., Hassan-King M., Manigart O., Nascimento M., Woukeu A., Chandramohan D., Borrow R., Maiden M.C.J., Greenwood B., Stuart J.M., Trape Jean-François, et al.. Risk factors for acquisition of meningococcal carriage in the African meningitis belt. 2019, 24 (4), 392-400 EN