Systematic review of empirical studies comparing the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19

Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved..

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate which non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been more and less effective in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: We performed a systematic review of published and unpublished empirical studies, either observational or interventional, analysing the comparative effectiveness of NPIs against the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched Embase/Medline and medRxiv to identify the relevant literature.

RESULTS: We identified 34 studies. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, school closing was the most effective NPI, followed by workplace closing, business and venue closing and public event bans. Public information campaigns and mask wearing requirements were also effective in controlling the pandemic while being less disruptive for the population than other NPIs. There was no evidence on the effectiveness of public transport closure, testing and contact tracing strategies and quarantining or isolation of individuals. Early implementation was associated with a higher effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 cases and deaths, while general stringency of the NPIs was not.

CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review, we found that school closing, followed by workplace closing, business and venue closing and public event bans were the most effective NPIs in controlling the spread of COVID-19. An early response and a combination of specific social distancing measures are effective at reducing COVID-19 cases and deaths. Continuous monitoring of NPIs effectiveness is needed in order to adapt decision making.

Errataetall:

CommentIn: J Infect. 2022 Sep;85(3):334-363. - PMID 35659544

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:83

Enthalten in:

The Journal of infection - 83(2021), 3 vom: 20. Sept., Seite 281-293

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Mendez-Brito, Alba [VerfasserIn]
El Bcheraoui, Charbel [VerfasserIn]
Pozo-Martin, Francisco [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

COVID-19
Epidemic
Journal Article
Non-pharmaceutical interventions
Review
SARS-CoV-2
Systematic Review
Systematic review

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 06.09.2021

Date Revised 31.10.2022

published: Print-Electronic

CommentIn: J Infect. 2022 Sep;85(3):334-363. - PMID 35659544

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.jinf.2021.06.018

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM32709088X