Coronavirus-two infection among adults: A scoping review of literature published in 2023-24.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and synthesize evidence on Coronavirus-two infection (SARS-CoV-2) among adults diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction.

METHODS

The protocol was registered on Open Science Forum (doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/2837X). Three bibliographic databases (Medline, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) were searched from July 2024 to December 2024. Peer-reviewed, quantitative studies with participants aged 18 and over were eligible to enlist potential risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR). The evidence was summarized as illustrations and tabulations with risk factors grouped into various categories. EndNote 20 was used for deduplications and organization of the literature.

RESULTS

Of 28,688 unique entries searched, 299 were shortlisted and 32 full-text manuscripts selected from 17 countries. There were two (6.2%) manuscripts based on real-time surveillance of at-risk populations. A total of 42 individual risk factors were examined in the evidence.

CONCLUSION

Low socioeconomic status and occupation were consistent risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with minimal representation from low- and middle-income countries in the evidence body. Future research should prioritize standardized methods and inclusion of underrepresented regions to enhance global applicability and inform targeted public health interventions.