Close contact experiences with invasive meningococcal disease contact tracing: Implications for practice

The aim of this study was to gain in-depth understanding of the experience of the contact tracing process by close contacts of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases. Close contacts participated in semi-structured interviews. We interviewed 26 close contacts of IMD cases; most presented to a hospital emergency department for antibiotic chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours. They had prior knowledge about IMD but experienced anxiety about contracting it; many believed that the antibiotic prevented them from contracting IMD. Contacts were satisfied with information they received during the initial contact from the health department but were concerned about phone calls from an unidentified phone number being disingenuous. Most did not receive any information at the hospital about antibiotic side effects or its function. Findings from this study have implications for the public health response and management of close contacts recommended in jurisdictional IMD guidelines, for Australia and more broadly internationally.