Infection transmission-related close contact behaviours in rural China

Abstract

<p>Due to relative poverty, a low education level, and high population vulnerability, China's rural areas face challenges in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. Close contact data are essential for understanding the spread of infections, however, they are currently unavailable. This study provides the first data of close-contact behaviours in six types of indoor environment in China's rural areas, fixed red-green-blue-depth (RGBD) cameras were installed in each tested room, and captured 178 h of videos including over 22 million two-person close contact behaviors. We used computer vision technology and manual analysis to collect key parameters related to close contact, including interpersonal distance, relative facial orientation, number of people indoors, room close contact ratio, number of people per close contact and conversation time rate. Classrooms had the highest number of people per close contact (3.8) and room close contact rate (92.3 %). Restaurants had the highest conversation rate (47.9 %), face-to-face rate during close contact (21.9 %), and the shortest average interpersonal distance (0.95 m). Close-contact behaviours in rural areas differed from those in urban areas, with the greatest differences in classrooms and health clinics. Homes, restaurants, clinics and classrooms posed high infection risks, based on behavioral characteristics. This study can help to deduce potential infection risks in these environments and support for targeted epidemic prevention and control.</p>