Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review

Background: Disinfectant sprays and wipes reduce the risk of infection from contaminated surfaces and materials in healthcare facilities. To support guideline updates, evidence on surface disinfection against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are needed. Aim...

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Main Authors: Joseph Okebe, Atana Ewa, Ememobong Aquaisua, Obasesam A. Ikpi, Ella Olughu, Ebere C. Chukwuemelie, Chukwudi Oringanje, Tochi Okwor, Martin Meremikwu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Public Health in Africa
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Online Access:https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/588
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author Joseph Okebe
Atana Ewa
Ememobong Aquaisua
Obasesam A. Ikpi
Ella Olughu
Ebere C. Chukwuemelie
Chukwudi Oringanje
Tochi Okwor
Martin Meremikwu
author_facet Joseph Okebe
Atana Ewa
Ememobong Aquaisua
Obasesam A. Ikpi
Ella Olughu
Ebere C. Chukwuemelie
Chukwudi Oringanje
Tochi Okwor
Martin Meremikwu
author_sort Joseph Okebe
collection DOAJ
description Background: Disinfectant sprays and wipes reduce the risk of infection from contaminated surfaces and materials in healthcare facilities. To support guideline updates, evidence on surface disinfection against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are needed. Aim: This study aims to compare the effect of disinfection by spraying or wiping on the risk of human infections in healthcare facilities providing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) services. Setting: Healthcare settings providing care for patients with COVID-19 or where exposure risk to COVID-19 is high. Method: We searched the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Cochrane Database of systematic review; PubMed, EMBASE and EPOC databases from 01 January 2020 to 31 August 2022. Results were screened for eligibility, the risk of bias in included studies assessed, and the certainty of evidence defined using GRADE®. Results: Three observational studies were included. Two studies reporting proportion of surfaces with residual contamination, showed contrasting results with spraying more effective (0%, [n = 0/39] vs. 25.6% [n = 23/90]) in one study but less effective (25.0% [n = 12/48] vs. 48.2% [n = 13/27]) in the other. The third study reported higher reductions from wiping (88.0%) compared to spraying (15.1%). The risk of bias ranged from moderate to serious and the certainty of the evidence was very low. No study reported a direct effect on the risk of infection in humans. Conclusion: Both spraying and wiping methods may protect against SARS-CoV-2 infections indirectly by reducing residual surface contamination. Contribution: The use of both methods of disinfection in cleaning protocols indirectly reduces residual surface contamination.
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spelling doaj-art-5fc51fa2d86c43ccbed0417bd6ced6ca2025-08-20T02:56:15ZengAOSISJournal of Public Health in Africa2038-99222038-99302025-02-01162e1e1110.4102/jphia.v16i2.588811Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid reviewJoseph Okebe0Atana Ewa1Ememobong Aquaisua2Obasesam A. Ikpi3Ella Olughu4Ebere C. Chukwuemelie5Chukwudi Oringanje6Tochi Okwor7Martin Meremikwu8Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom; and Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, CalabarDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, CalabarDepartment of Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, CalabarDepartment of Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, CalabarInstitute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, CalabarInstitute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, CalabarInstitute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, CalabarNigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, AbujaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, CalabarBackground: Disinfectant sprays and wipes reduce the risk of infection from contaminated surfaces and materials in healthcare facilities. To support guideline updates, evidence on surface disinfection against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are needed. Aim: This study aims to compare the effect of disinfection by spraying or wiping on the risk of human infections in healthcare facilities providing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) services. Setting: Healthcare settings providing care for patients with COVID-19 or where exposure risk to COVID-19 is high. Method: We searched the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Cochrane Database of systematic review; PubMed, EMBASE and EPOC databases from 01 January 2020 to 31 August 2022. Results were screened for eligibility, the risk of bias in included studies assessed, and the certainty of evidence defined using GRADE®. Results: Three observational studies were included. Two studies reporting proportion of surfaces with residual contamination, showed contrasting results with spraying more effective (0%, [n = 0/39] vs. 25.6% [n = 23/90]) in one study but less effective (25.0% [n = 12/48] vs. 48.2% [n = 13/27]) in the other. The third study reported higher reductions from wiping (88.0%) compared to spraying (15.1%). The risk of bias ranged from moderate to serious and the certainty of the evidence was very low. No study reported a direct effect on the risk of infection in humans. Conclusion: Both spraying and wiping methods may protect against SARS-CoV-2 infections indirectly by reducing residual surface contamination. Contribution: The use of both methods of disinfection in cleaning protocols indirectly reduces residual surface contamination.https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/588preventiondisinfectionsars-cov-2healthcarecovid-19.
spellingShingle Joseph Okebe
Atana Ewa
Ememobong Aquaisua
Obasesam A. Ikpi
Ella Olughu
Ebere C. Chukwuemelie
Chukwudi Oringanje
Tochi Okwor
Martin Meremikwu
Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review
Journal of Public Health in Africa
prevention
disinfection
sars-cov-2
healthcare
covid-19.
title Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review
title_full Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review
title_fullStr Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review
title_full_unstemmed Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review
title_short Disinfection methods for preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare settings: A rapid review
title_sort disinfection methods for preventing covid 19 infections in healthcare settings a rapid review
topic prevention
disinfection
sars-cov-2
healthcare
covid-19.
url https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/588
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