COVID-19 prevalence and infection control measures at homeless shelters and hostels in high-income countries: protocol for a scoping review

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted people experiencing homelessness. Homeless shelters and hostels, as congregate living spaces for residents with many health vulnerabilities, are highly susceptible to outbreaks of COVID-19. A synthesis of the research-to-date can inform evidence-based practices for infection, prevention, and control strategies at these sites to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 among both shelter/hostel residents and staff. Methods: A scoping review in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s framework will be conducted to identify literature reporting COVID-19 positivity rates among homeless shelter and hostel residents and staff, as well as infection control strategies to prevent outbreaks in these facilities. The focus will be on literature produced in high-income countries. Nine academic literature databases and 11 grey literature databases will be searched for literature from March 2020 to July 2021. Literature screening will be completed by two reviewers and facilitated by Covidence, a systematic review management platform. A third reviewer will be engaged to resolve disagreements and facilitate consensus. A narrative summary of the major themes identified in the literature, numerical counts of relevant data including the COVID-19 positivity rates, and recommendations for different infection control approaches will be produced. Discussion: The synthesis of the research generated on COVID-19 prevalence and prevention in homeless shelters and hostels will assist in establishing best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases at these facilities in high-income countries while identifying next steps to expand the existing evidence base.