Risk factors for Streptococcus pyogenes skin infections during an outbreak in Ethiopia: a case-control study

Significant risk factors included contact with cases, poor personal hygiene, inadequate water access for hygiene and clothing practice, and injury. Improving personal hygiene, increasing water access, and injury prevention are recommended to reduce S. pyogenes transmission. S. pyogenes infection should be included in the national public health surveillance system. Longitudinal studies should be conducted to track the impacts of S. pyogenes infections over time in the same population.