Contact Tracing: Barriers and Facilitators

Abstract

Contact tracing—the process of identifying, isolating, and managing infected persons and their contacts—is a recognized public health measure for controlling the transmission of infectious diseases. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, contact tracing has received intense attention. We provide a brief overview of the history of contact tracing during several major disease outbreaks in the past century: syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, HIV infection, tuberculosis, Ebola virus disease, and COVID-19. Our discussion on the barriers to and facilitators of contact tracing offers a perspective on societal and institutional roles and dynamics, stigma as a major barrier to effective tracing efforts, and how the nature and epidemiology of the infection itself can affect its success. We explore the evolution and adaptation of contact tracing and provide insights for future programming and research. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 2, 2022: e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306842 )

Evaluation of mpox contact tracing activities and data collection in EU/EEA countries during the 2022 multicountry outbreak in nonendemic countries

“…These barriers might be attributed to the high number of contacts and associated anonymity, with cases struggling to recall their interactions 32 . Nonetheless, the presence of these barriers could also hint at more profound issues concerning disclosure, stemming from societal stigma or perceived stigma attached to mpox and sexually transmitted infections 10,33,34 . In alignment with these challenges, the respondents underscored the importance of enhancing expertise concerning populations particularly vulnerable to mpox, including factors related to risk of exposure, along with the necessity for improved communication with stakeholders.…”

Looking under the lamp-post: quantifying the performance of contact tracing in the United States during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

“…Consistent messaging about limiting transmission and contact tracing are key as has been noted by the Lancet Commission [52], among others [104,105]. This could include reframing messaging to reduce stigma that has often been associated with contact tracing [106] and which undermines contact tracing e cacy [107].…”

Looking under the lamp-post: quantifying the performance of contact tracing in the United States during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

“…Consistent messaging about limiting transmission and contact tracing are key as has been noted by the Lancet Commission [52], among others [104,105]. This could include reframing messaging to reduce stigma that has often been associated with contact tracing [106] and which undermines contact tracing efficacy [107]. During the HIV epidemic, contact tracers emphasized the index case's personal responsibility towards the health of their sexual partners [1].…”