Socioeconomic status and non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors in low-income and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review

ObjectivesLow-income and lower middle-income countries (LLMICs) bear a disproportionate burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). WHO has repeatedly called for more research on poverty and NCDs in these settings, but the current situation remains unquantified. We aimed to assess research output on poverty and NCD risk factors from these countries in relation to upper middle-income and high-income countries.DesignBibliometric analysis of primary research published between 1 January 1990 and 4 May 2017. We searched 13 databases, combining terms for poverty and NCD behavioural risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity). Independent dual review was used to screen titles, abstracts and full papers. Two-tailed t-testing and multiple linear regression analyses were used to compare differences in means.Outcomes(1) Proportion of lead authors affiliated with institutions based in high and upper middle-income countries vs LLMICs. (2) Mean number of citations for publications from each region. (3) Mean journal impact factor for studies from each region.ResultsNinety-one (67%) of the 136 included studies were led by scientists affiliated with LLMIC-based institutions. These authors represented 17/83 LLMICs (20%), and their studies garnered 4.8 fewer citations per paper than studies led by high-income and upper middle-income-affiliated authors; however, this finding was non-significant (P=0.67). Papers led by authors based in high-income and upper middle-income countries were published in journals with a mean impact factor 3.1 points higher than those from LLMICs (4.9 vs 1.7) adjusting for year of publication and number of citations (P<0.001).ConclusionsMost poverty and NCD risk factor research is led by authors from a small number of LLMICs. These studies are being published in relatively low-impact journals, and the vast majority of LLMICs are not producing any research in this area that is vital to their social and economic development. The paucity of domestic evidence must be addressed to inform global policy.

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An educational booklet for patient-centred health education about a non-communicable disease in low-income and middle-income countries

The Lancet Global Health ◽

10.1016/s2214-109x(16)30030-4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. S25 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Trishul Siddharthan ◽

Faith Nassali ◽

Robert Kalyesubula ◽

Steve Coca ◽

Asghar Rastegar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Low Income ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Non Communicable Disease

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Poverty and development interventions that address behavioural risk factors of non-communicable diseases in low and lower middle income countries: a systematic review

The Lancet ◽

10.1016/s0140-6736(16)32333-9 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 388 ◽

pp. S97 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jessica Pullar ◽

Luke Allen ◽

Nick Townsend ◽

Julianne Williams ◽

Charlie Foster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Middle Income ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Behavioural Risk Factors ◽

Development Interventions

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Burden, risk factors and outcomes of hyperemesis gravidarum in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs): systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025841 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. e025841 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mesfin Tadese Dinberu ◽

Mohammed Akibu Mohammed ◽

Tesfalidet Tekelab ◽

Nigus Bililign Yimer ◽

Melaku Desta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Hyperemesis Gravidarum ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Primary Data ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Patient Consent

IntroductionHyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy condition characterised by excessive nausea and vomiting resulting in dehydration, weight loss and serious adverse pregnancy outcomes including termination of pregnancies. Even though evidence in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited, the prevalence of HG in pregnancy ranges from 0.3% to 10.8%. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to determine the prevalence/burden, risk factors, and maternal and perinatal outcomes of HG in LMICs.MethodsPubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBSCO, Ovid maternity and infant care databases, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases will be searched. Reference lists of selected articles will be assessed in order to identify other potential studies of interest. Observational studies and (non) randomised controlled trials conducted from January 2000 to September 2018 in LMIC will be included. A weighted inverse-variance meta-analysis using fixed-effects and random-effects model will be done to generate a pooled estimate. Funnel plot and Egger’s regression statistical test will be applied to check publication bias. Heterogeneity among studies will be checked using Τ2 to determine dispersion. Moreover, meta-regression analysis will be performed to investigate the source of heterogeneity. STATA V.14 will be used to analyse the data.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethical approval and patient consent are not required; as primary data collection will not be employed. The result will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will be presented at scientific conferences and public press.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018096284.

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