Non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the UK: a rapid mapping review and interactive evidence gap map

D Duval; B Evans; A Sanders; J Hill; A Simbo; T Kavoi; I Lyell; Z Simmons; M Qureshi; N Pearce-Smith; C R Arevalo; C R Beck; R Bindra; I Oliver

doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdae025

Non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the UK: a rapid mapping review and interactive evidence gap map

J Public Health (Oxf). 2024 Feb 29:fdae025. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdae025. Online ahead of print.

Authors

D Duval¹, B Evans¹, A Sanders¹, J Hill², A Simbo³, T Kavoi⁴, I Lyell⁵, Z Simmons¹, M Qureshi², N Pearce-Smith¹, C R Arevalo¹, C R Beck⁶, R Bindra², I Oliver⁷

Affiliations

¹ Research, Evidence and Knowledge Division, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London E14 5EA, UK.
² Clinical and Public Health Response Division, UKHSA, London E14 5EA, UK.
³ Evaluation and Epidemiological Science Division, UKHSA, Colindale NW9 5EQ, UK.
⁴ Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Team, UKHSA, Liverpool L3 1DS, UK.
⁵ Greater Manchester Health Protection Team, UKHSA, Manchester M1 3BN, UK.
⁶ Evaluation and Epidemiological Science Division, UKHSA, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK.
⁷ Director General Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer, UKHSA, London E14 5EA, UK.

PMID: 38426578
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdae025

Abstract

Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were crucial in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, although uncertainties about their effectiveness remain. This work aimed to better understand the evidence generated during the pandemic on the effectiveness of NPIs implemented in the UK.

Methods: We conducted a rapid mapping review (search date: 1 March 2023) to identify primary studies reporting on the effectiveness of NPIs to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Included studies were displayed in an interactive evidence gap map.

Results: After removal of duplicates, 11 752 records were screened. Of these, 151 were included, including 100 modelling studies but only 2 randomized controlled trials and 10 longitudinal observational studies.Most studies reported on NPIs to identify and isolate those who are or may become infectious, and on NPIs to reduce the number of contacts. There was an evidence gap for hand and respiratory hygiene, ventilation and cleaning.

Conclusions: Our findings show that despite the large number of studies published, there is still a lack of robust evaluations of the NPIs implemented in the UK. There is a need to build evaluation into the design and implementation of public health interventions and policies from the start of any future pandemic or other public health emergency.

Keywords: COVID-19; non-pharmaceutical interventions.