Cooper L.V. auteur aut IRD Robson A. auteur aut IRD Trotter C.L. auteur aut IRD Aseffa A. auteur aut IRD Collard J.M. auteur aut IRD Daugla D.M. auteur aut IRD Diallo A. auteur aut IRD Hodgson A. auteur aut IRD Jusot J.F. auteur aut IRD Omotara B. auteur aut IRD Sow S. auteur aut IRD Hassan-King M. auteur aut IRD Manigart O. auteur aut IRD Nascimento M. auteur aut IRD Woukeu A. auteur aut IRD Chandramohan D. auteur aut IRD Borrow R. auteur aut IRD Maiden M.C.J. auteur aut IRD Greenwood B. auteur aut IRD Stuart J.M. auteur aut IRD Trape Jean-François auteur aut IRD et al. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access 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. specialized 050MEDECI 24 4 392-400 2019 1360-2276 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010093839 10.1111/tmi.13203 1360-2276 [F B010093839] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010093839 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-07/010093839.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-05-20 2025-07-09 fdi:010093839 fre