Review Article - Special Collection: Infection Prevention and Control

Asymptomatic testing people for SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities: A systematic review

Olabisi A. Oduwole, Glory Bassey, Grace Esebanmen, Samuel Shoyinka, Johnsolomon Ohenhen, Elise Cogo, Nicholas Henschke, Eleanor Ochodo, Martin M. Meremikwu
Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 16, No 2 | a581 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v16i2.581 | © 2025 Olabisi A. Oduwole, Glory Bassey, Grace Esebanmen, Samuel Shoyinka, Johnsolomon Ohenhen, Elise Cogo, Nicholas Henschke, Eleanor Ochodo, Martin M. Meremikwu | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 07 May 2024 | Published: 03 January 2025

About the author(s)

Olabisi A. Oduwole, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria; and Cochrane Nigeria, Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
Glory Bassey, Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
Grace Esebanmen, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria
Samuel Shoyinka, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria
Johnsolomon Ohenhen, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria
Elise Cogo, Cochrane Response, London, United Kingdom
Nicholas Henschke, Cochrane Response, London, United Kingdom
Eleanor Ochodo, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya, Kenya
Martin M. Meremikwu, Cochrane Nigeria, Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria; and Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic testing involves the process whereby individuals who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 are tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection using any of the available laboratory test techniques.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of testing asymptomatic individuals visiting, living or working in healthcare facilities in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral infections.

Setting: Healthcare databases.

Method: Electronic databases were searched and limited to English language and studies published 2020 to 02 September 2022. Following the methods for rapid systematic reviews, data were analysed using a fixed effect model, and results of the effect estimate were reported as odds ratios (OR) with their confidence intervals (CI) (95% CI).

Results: Databases’ searches yielded 3065 articles after deduplication and 3 studies by searching reference lists of included articles. After screening abstracts and full text articles, 3 cohort studies were included, each with serious risk of bias. Very low certainty evidence shows a decrease in occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the asymptomatic testing group among patients going for index surgery (OR: 0.05, 95 % CI: 0.00–0.82; 501 participants; 1 study) and among long term care facility staff (OR: 0.31, 95 % CI: 0.18–0.52; 3457 participants; 2 studies, I2 = 89%) than the ‘no asymptomatic testing’ group. However, its effect on their residents was contradictory.

Conclusion: There is limited quality evidence to support asymptomatic testing of individuals for SARS-CoV-2 in the prevention of virus transmission in health care settings.

Contribution: In the event of a future pandemic, this review offers current evidence on the potential effects of asymptomatic testing.


Keywords

asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 test; asymptomatic testing; asymptomatic diagnosis; asymptomatic screening; asymptomatic COVID-19

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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