Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35738153›Full record

ArticleEpidemics2022

Modelling how face masks and symptoms-based quarantine synergistically and cost-effectively reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Bangladesh.

Elaine A Ferguson, Eric Brum, Anir Chowdhury, Shayan Chowdhury, Mikolaj Kundegorski, Ayesha S Mahmud, Nabila Purno, Ayesha Sania, Rachel Steenson, Motahara Tasneem and 1 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Epidemics, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 27% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Elaine A FergusonUniversity of Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: elaine.ferguson@glasgow.ac.uk.
Eric BrumFAO, Bangladesh.
Anir Chowdhurya2i, Bangladesh.
Shayan Chowdhurya2i, Bangladesh.
Mikolaj KundegorskiUniversity of Glasgow, UK.
Ayesha S MahmudUniversity of California, Berkeley, USA.
Nabila PurnoUNFPA, Bangladesh.
Ayesha SaniaColumbia University, USA.
Rachel SteensonUniversity of Glasgow, UK.
Motahara TasneemFAO, Bangladesh.
Katie HampsonUniversity of Glasgow, UK.
University of Glasgow · GBColumbia University · USUniversity of California, Berkeley · US

Funding

Wellcome Trust 207569/Z/17/Z
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNon-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) used to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission vary in their feasibility, appropriateness and effectiveness in different contexts. In Bangladesh a national lockdown implemented in March 2020 exacerbated poverty and was untenable long-term. A resurgence in 2021 warranted renewed NPIs. We sought to identify NPIs that were feasible in this context and explore potential synergies between interventions.

methodsWe developed an SEIR model for Dhaka District, parameterised from literature values and calibrated to data from Bangladesh. We discussed scenarios and parameterisations with policymakers with the aid of an interactive app. These discussions guided modelling of lockdown and two post-lockdown measures considered feasible to deliver; symptoms-based household quarantining and compulsory mask-wearing. We compared NPI scenarios on deaths, hospitalisations relative to capacity, working days lost, and cost-effectiveness.

resultsLockdowns alone were predicted to delay the first epidemic peak but could not prevent overwhelming of the health service and were costly in lost working days. Impacts of post-lockdown interventions depended heavily on compliance. Assuming 80% compliance, symptoms-based household quarantining alone could not prevent hospitalisations exceeding capacity, whilst mask-wearing prevented overwhelming health services and was cost-effective given masks of high filtration efficiency. Combining masks with quarantine increased their impact. Recalibration to surging cases in 2021 suggested potential for a further wave in 2021, dependent on uncertainties in case reporting and immunity.

conclusionsMasks and symptoms-based household quarantining synergistically prevent transmission, and are cost-effective in Bangladesh. Our interactive app was valuable in supporting decision-making, with mask-wearing being mandated early, and community teams being deployed to support quarantining across Dhaka. These measures likely contributed to averting the worst public health impacts, but delivering an effective response with consistent compliance across the population has been challenging. In the event of a further resurgence, concurrent messaging to increase compliance with both mask-wearing and quarantine is recommended.

Indexed as

COVID-19SARS-CoV-2BangladeshCommunicable Disease ControlHumansMasksQuarantineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Cost-effectivenessFacemasksLow- and middle- income countries (LMICS)Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)

Identifiers

PMID35738153
PMCPMC9192122
OpenAlexW4282843140

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.