Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41710305›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026

Effectiveness of stigma reduction interventions and outbreak response adaptations in infectious disease outbreaks: a systematic review.

Amy Paterson, Ruan Spies, Chambrez-Zita Zauchenberger, Ashleigh Cheyne, Piero L Olliaro, Amanda Rojek

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

6 authors.

Amy Paterson *Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Ruan Spies *Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Chambrez-Zita ZauchenbergerPandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Ashleigh CheynePandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Piero L OlliaroPandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Amanda RojekPandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Stigma is a common and recurring feature of infectious disease outbreaks where it may have detrimental effects on individual wellbeing and undermine outbreak response. This systematic review explores stigma reduction interventions in infectious disease outbreaks. Methods: Eligible studies were searched for in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Global Health databases and through reference screening. Risk of bias was assessed using study design-specific tools and the results of included studies underwent narrative synthesis. Results: Eleven studies conducted across coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Ebola disease, mpox, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and a hypothetical infectious-disease scenario, met the inclusion criteria. Five studies reported reductions in stigma, four reported mixed or null results, and two reported increases in stigma. The most promising strategies for outbreak-related stigma reduction were embedding anti-stigma messaging within health communication, providing psychosocial support, and fostering genuinely participatory community involvement. Discussion: Evidence on how to effectively reduce stigma during outbreaks remains limited. Strengthening the theoretical foundations, measurement tools, and evaluation designs of stigma-reduction interventions will be essential to inform evidence-based outbreak preparedness and response policies. This would help decision-makers ensure that risk communication, community engagement, and service delivery minimise stigma and improve uptake of testing, care, and preventive measures.

Indexed as

COVID-19Disease OutbreaksSocial StigmaHemorrhagic Fever, EbolaHumansSARS-CoV-2Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromediscriminationoutbreakpandemic preparednesspublic health and social measuresstigma

Identifiers

PMID41710305
PMCPMC12909562

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.