Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review

Background: The prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in carceral settings face unique challenges. Transmission modeling is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing these challenges, but reviews of modeling work in this context pre-date the proliferation of outbreaks in jail...

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Main Authors: Sara N. Levintow, Molly Remch, Emily P. Jones, Justin Lessler, Jessie K. Edwards, Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, Dana K. Rice, David L. Rosen, Kimberly A. Powers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Epidemics
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755436524000707
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author Sara N. Levintow
Molly Remch
Emily P. Jones
Justin Lessler
Jessie K. Edwards
Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein
Dana K. Rice
David L. Rosen
Kimberly A. Powers
author_facet Sara N. Levintow
Molly Remch
Emily P. Jones
Justin Lessler
Jessie K. Edwards
Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein
Dana K. Rice
David L. Rosen
Kimberly A. Powers
author_sort Sara N. Levintow
collection DOAJ
description Background: The prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in carceral settings face unique challenges. Transmission modeling is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing these challenges, but reviews of modeling work in this context pre-date the proliferation of outbreaks in jails and prisons during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We conducted a systematic review of studies using transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings before and during the pandemic. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo to identify studies published between 1970 and 2024 that modeled transmission of respiratory infectious diseases in carceral settings. We extracted information on the diseases, populations, and settings modeled; approaches used for parameterizing models and simulating transmission; outcomes of interest and techniques for model calibration, validation, and sensitivity analyses; and types, impacts, and ethical aspects of modeled interventions. Results: Forty-six studies met eligibility criteria, with transmission dynamics of tuberculosis modeled in 24 (52 %), SARS-CoV-2 in 20 (43 %), influenza in one (2 %), and varicella-zoster virus in one (2 %). Carceral facilities in the United States were the most common focus (15, 33 %), followed by Brazil (8, 17 %). Most studies (36, 80 %) used compartmental models (vs. individual- or agent-based). Tuberculosis studies typically modeled transmission within a single facility, while most SARS-CoV-2 studies simulated transmission in multiple places, including between carceral and community settings. Half of studies fit models to epidemiological data; three validated model predictions. Models were used to estimate past or potential future intervention impacts in 32 (70 %) studies, forecast the status quo (without changing conditions) in six (13 %), and examine only theoretical aspects of transmission in eight (17 %). Interventions commonly involved testing and treatment, quarantine and isolation, and/or facility ventilation. Modeled interventions substantially reduced transmission, but some were not well-defined or did not consider ethical issues. Conclusion: The pandemic prompted urgent attention to transmission dynamics in jails and prisons, but there has been little modeling of respiratory infections other than SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis. Increased attention to calibration, validation, and the practical and ethical aspects of intervention implementation could improve translation of model estimates into tangible benefits for the highly vulnerable populations in carceral settings.
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spelling doaj-art-6eae1c366e0d4e7a87a1ce0508ca8d1b2025-08-20T02:55:42ZengElsevierEpidemics1755-43652025-03-015010080910.1016/j.epidem.2024.100809Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic reviewSara N. Levintow0Molly Remch1Emily P. Jones2Justin Lessler3Jessie K. Edwards4Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein5Dana K. Rice6David L. Rosen7Kimberly A. Powers8Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Correspondence to: Department of Epidemiology, 135 Dauer Drive, 2101 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB #7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA.Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USAHealth Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USADepartment of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USADepartment of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USADepartment of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USAPublic Health Leadership Program, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USADivision of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USADepartment of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USABackground: The prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in carceral settings face unique challenges. Transmission modeling is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing these challenges, but reviews of modeling work in this context pre-date the proliferation of outbreaks in jails and prisons during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We conducted a systematic review of studies using transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings before and during the pandemic. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo to identify studies published between 1970 and 2024 that modeled transmission of respiratory infectious diseases in carceral settings. We extracted information on the diseases, populations, and settings modeled; approaches used for parameterizing models and simulating transmission; outcomes of interest and techniques for model calibration, validation, and sensitivity analyses; and types, impacts, and ethical aspects of modeled interventions. Results: Forty-six studies met eligibility criteria, with transmission dynamics of tuberculosis modeled in 24 (52 %), SARS-CoV-2 in 20 (43 %), influenza in one (2 %), and varicella-zoster virus in one (2 %). Carceral facilities in the United States were the most common focus (15, 33 %), followed by Brazil (8, 17 %). Most studies (36, 80 %) used compartmental models (vs. individual- or agent-based). Tuberculosis studies typically modeled transmission within a single facility, while most SARS-CoV-2 studies simulated transmission in multiple places, including between carceral and community settings. Half of studies fit models to epidemiological data; three validated model predictions. Models were used to estimate past or potential future intervention impacts in 32 (70 %) studies, forecast the status quo (without changing conditions) in six (13 %), and examine only theoretical aspects of transmission in eight (17 %). Interventions commonly involved testing and treatment, quarantine and isolation, and/or facility ventilation. Modeled interventions substantially reduced transmission, but some were not well-defined or did not consider ethical issues. Conclusion: The pandemic prompted urgent attention to transmission dynamics in jails and prisons, but there has been little modeling of respiratory infections other than SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis. Increased attention to calibration, validation, and the practical and ethical aspects of intervention implementation could improve translation of model estimates into tangible benefits for the highly vulnerable populations in carceral settings.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755436524000707IncarcerationCriminal legal systemRespiratory diseaseMathematical modelMechanistic modelSimulation model
spellingShingle Sara N. Levintow
Molly Remch
Emily P. Jones
Justin Lessler
Jessie K. Edwards
Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein
Dana K. Rice
David L. Rosen
Kimberly A. Powers
Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review
Epidemics
Incarceration
Criminal legal system
Respiratory disease
Mathematical model
Mechanistic model
Simulation model
title Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review
title_full Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review
title_fullStr Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review
title_short Transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings: A systematic review
title_sort transmission models of respiratory infections in carceral settings a systematic review
topic Incarceration
Criminal legal system
Respiratory disease
Mathematical model
Mechanistic model
Simulation model
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755436524000707
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