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

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.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women in Martinique - abstract

Seven hundred and sixteen pregnant women attending the prenatal clinic at Lamentin Hopital, Martinique, were tested for chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection and risk factors associated with the infection. Samples for Ct isolation were taken from the endocervical canal and the urethra and cultured on cycloheximide-treated MacCoy cells. Ct inclusions are identified by monoclonal antibodies. Specific serum antibodies (Ab) were evaluated by an immunofluorescence method. Two hundred sixty-seven women (37.3 percent) had positive Ct culture, 34.5 percent from the cervix and 2.8 percent from the urethra alone. Comparing the group that did have Ct infection with the group that was not infected, the prevalence of the following factors was found to be significantly different (p<0.01): married (39.3 percent vs 27.2 percent), previous induced abortions (47.9 percent vs 30.8 percent), first intercourse at less than 18 years of age (43.3 percent vs 28.3 percent), more than two lifetime sex partners (40.9 percent vs 25 percent), friability of the cervix (45.3 percent vs 34.1 percent), polymorphonuclear neutrophils in cervical mucus (45.9 percent vs 26 percent), yellow endocervical discharge (44 percent vs 28 percent) concomitant trichomonas vaginalis (22.4 percent vs 15.8 percent), gardnerella vaginalis (19.8 percent vs 9.8 percent) and ureaplasma urealyticum (53.1 percent vs 34.5 percent) infection. Four-hundred and twenty women (58.8 percent) had Ct specific Ab. The mean level of Ab was lower in culture positive women (1/117) than in culture negative (1/272). The positive predictive value of Ab changed according to the age group (AU)