Effectiveness of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Prevent Influenza Transmission in Households
Author Information
Author(s): Cowling Benjamin J., Fung Rita O. P., Cheng Calvin K. Y., Fang Vicky J., Chan Kwok Hung, Seto Wing Hong, Yung Raymond, Chiu Billy, Lee Paco, Uyeki Timothy M., Houck Peter M., Peiris J. S. Malik, Leung Gabriel M.
Primary Institution: The University of Hong Kong
Hypothesis
Can non-pharmaceutical interventions like face masks and hand hygiene reduce the spread of influenza in households?
Conclusion
The study found that the secondary attack ratios for influenza were lower than expected, suggesting limited effectiveness of the interventions tested.
Supporting Evidence
- 198 households were randomized and followed up, with 122 having laboratory-confirmed influenza.
- The overall laboratory-confirmed secondary attack ratio was 6.0%.
- Adherence to interventions was reported to be variable among participants.
Takeaway
Wearing masks and washing hands might help stop the flu from spreading in families, but this study showed it didn't work as well as hoped.
Methodology
A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with households where an index subject had influenza-like illness, comparing control, face mask, and hand hygiene interventions.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from recruiting symptomatic subjects and high dropout rates among certain demographics.
Limitations
The study was underpowered to detect small or moderate effects, and adherence to interventions was variable.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 944 Hong Kong residents aged at least 2 years, with a median household size of 4.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 3.8%–9.0%
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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