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Cited by 416Influenza Virus Research StudiesCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesMathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review

Open access
Ahmed, Faruque, Zviedrite, Nicole, Uzicanin, Amra·2018·BMC Public Health
DOI 10.1186/s12889-018-5446-1PMC PMC5907354
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Social distancing is one of the community mitigation measures that may be recommended during influenza pandemics. Social distancing can reduce virus transmission by increasing physical distance or reducing frequency of congregation in socially dense community settings, such as schools or workplaces. We conducted a systematic review to assess the evidence that social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces reduces or slows influenza transmission. METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, NIOSHTIC-2, and EconLit to identify studies published in English from January 1, 2000, through May 3, 2017. Data extraction was done by two reviewers independently. A narrative synthesis was performed. RESULTS: Fifteen studies, representing 12 modeling and three epidemiological, met the eligibility criteria. The epidemiological studies showed that social distancing was associated with a reduction in influenza-like illness and seroconversion to 2009 influenza A (H1N1). However, the overall risk of bias in the epidemiological studies was serious. The modeling studies estimated that workplace social distancing measures alone produced a median reduction of 23% in the cumulative influenza attack rate in the general population. It also delayed and reduced the peak influenza attack rate. The reduction in the cumulative attack rate was more pronounced when workplace social distancing was combined with other nonpharmaceutical or pharmaceutical interventions. However, the effectiveness was estimated to decline with higher basic reproduction number values, delayed triggering of workplace social distancing, or lower compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Modeling studies support social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces, but there is a paucity of well-designed epidemiological studies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO registration # CRD42017065310.

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  • Social distancing alone reduced H1N1 cases by a median of 23% in the general population; combined with other measures, the median reduction rose to 75%.

    “a review of studies on the effect of social distancing alone on H1N1 also found a median reduction rate of 23% of cases in the general population; combined with other measures this rose to a median reduction of 75% [6].”

    From Facilitators and barriers to social distancing for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic (2022) · cites this paper as [6]

    The Results passage reports the stated 23% and 75% median reductions in the general population, but these are modeled estimates for workplace social distancing at R0 ≤ 1.9. The 75% figure specifically concerns combination with other nonpharmaceutical interventions; the citing sentence omits those conditions and describes the modeled influenza attack-rate reductions as H1N1 case reductions. No page number is supplied for the passage. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Social distancing is an important component of measures designed to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.

    “Social distancing has been shown to be an important component of measures designed to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.”

    From Facilitators and barriers to social distancing for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic (2022) · cites this paper as [6]

    The Background says social distancing can reduce virus transmission, and the Abstract Conclusions say modeling studies support its use in non-healthcare workplaces. But this review examines influenza, not COVID-19, and notes a paucity of well-designed epidemiological studies; it does not establish the claimed effect for COVID-19. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Ahmed, F., Zviedrite, N., & Uzicanin, A.
Affiliations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
Corresponding author
Ahmed, Faruque
ORCID
Venue
BMC Public Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2018-04-18
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
518-518
ISSN
1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12889-018-5446-1
PMC
PMC5907354
OpenAlex
W2804572859
Cited by
416
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 115 · 2020: 138 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
FWCI
9.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Influenza Virus Research Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Modeling and Simulation › COVID-19 epidemiological studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models
Keywords
influenza transmission, influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions, basic reproduction number, intervention adherence, influenza-like illness, seroconversion
MeSH terms
Humans, Influenza, Human, Models, Biological, Social Isolation, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Workplace, Pandemics

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