A systematic review of employment outcomes from youth skills training programmes in agriculture in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract Engagement of youth in agriculture in low- and middle-income countries may offer opportunities to curb underemployment, urban migration, disillusionment of youth and social unrest, as well as to lift individuals and communities from poverty and hunger. Lack of education or skills training has been cited as a challenge to engage youth in the sector. Here we systematically interrogate the literature for the evaluation of skills training programmes for youth in low- and middle-income countries. Sixteen studies—nine quantitative, four qualitative and three mixed methods—from the research and grey literature documented the effects of programmes on outcomes relating to youth engagement, including job creation, income, productivity and entrepreneurship in agriculture. Although we find that skills training programmes report positive effects on our chosen outcomes, like previous systematic reviews we find the topic to chronically lack evaluation. Given the interest that donors and policymakers have in youth engagement in agriculture, our systematic review uncovers a gap in the knowledge of their effectiveness.

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Publisher Correction: A systematic review of employment outcomes from youth skills training programmes in agriculture in low- and middle-income countries

Nature Food ◽

10.1038/s43016-020-00183-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (11) ◽

pp. 755-755

Author(s):

W. H. Eugenie Maïga ◽

Mohamed Porgo ◽

Pam Zahonogo ◽

Cocou Jaurès Amegnaglo ◽

Doubahan Adeline Coulibaly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Skills Training ◽

Employment Outcomes ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Training Programmes ◽

Low And Middle Income

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

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Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation During Pregnancy on Maternal, Birth, Child Health and Development Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020491 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 491 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Christina Oh ◽

Emily C. Keats ◽

Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Child Health ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Micronutrient Supplementation ◽

Maternal Anemia ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

Almost two billion people are deficient in key vitamins and minerals, mostly women and children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Deficiencies worsen during pregnancy due to increased energy and nutritional demands, causing adverse outcomes in mother and child, but could be mitigated by interventions like micronutrient supplementation. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that aimed to compile evidence from both efficacy and effectiveness trials, evaluating different supplementation interventions on maternal, birth, child health, and developmental outcomes. We evaluated randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies published since 1995 in peer-reviewed and grey literature that assessed the effects of calcium, vitamin A, iron, vitamin D, and zinc supplementation compared to placebo/no treatment; iron-folic (IFA) supplementation compared to folic acid only; multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation compared to IFA; and lipid-based nutrient supplementation (LNS) compared to MMN supplementation. Seventy-two studies, which collectively involved 314 papers (451,723 women), were included. Meta-analyses showed improvement in several key birth outcomes, such as preterm birth, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and low birthweight with MMN supplementation, compared to IFA. MMN also improved child outcomes, including diarrhea incidence and retinol concentration, which are findings not previously reported. Across all comparisons, micronutrient supplementation had little to no effect on mortality (maternal, neonatal, perinatal, and infant) outcomes, which is consistent with other systematic reviews. IFA supplementation showed notable improvement in maternal anemia and the reduction in low birthweight, whereas LNS supplementation had no apparent effect on outcomes; further research that compares LNS and MMN supplementation could help understand differences with these commodities. For single micronutrient supplementation, improvements were noted in only a few outcomes, mainly pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (calcium), maternal anemia (iron), preterm births (vitamin D), and maternal serum zinc concentration (zinc). These findings highlight that micronutrient-specific supplementation should be tailored to specific groups or needs for maximum benefit. In addition, they further contribute to the ongoing discourse of choosing antenatal MMN over IFA as the standard of care in LMICs.

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Evidence Based Dentistry among Dentists in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review

East African Health Research Journal ◽

10.24248/eahrj.v5i2.662 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 129-136

Author(s):

Irene Kida Minja ◽

Edda Tandi Lwoga

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Middle Income ◽

Hand Search ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Evidence Based Dentistry ◽

Low And Middle Income

Purpose of this systematic review was to bring together studies of evidence-based practice among dentists in low- and middle-income countries, where its use has been reported to be limited. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Methodology: We searched the evidence (in English only) from medical databases including PubMed, EBSCO, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, HINARI summon, and SCOPUS and Web of Science via Research4Life, grey literature, hand search from relevant articles, and augmented results on Google scholar.Published reports were retrieved from relevant websites and organizations. Studies included those that looked at key factors that facilitate or hinder Evidence Based Dentistry (EBD), as well as outcomes in terms of: knowledge, attitudes and skills of EB practice among dentists; and the methodology used and their relevance in future EBD strategies.Main focus was on dentists, as practitioners and faculty members. Studies on students and non-dental personnel were excluded.Findings:A total of 4568 records were retrieved and five potentially relevant articles were selected after title/abstract screening. Two articles were excluded after full text screening, and therefore Three papers were included in this review. The studies report limited knowledge,unsatisfactory attitude towards EBD and lowpractice of EBD and use of scientific evidence databases. None of the studies reported implementation of EBD nor evaluation thereof. The main barriers that constrained application of EBD ranged from lack of interest to infrastructural limitations. Originality: The current review showed that there is a need to strategised implementation of EBD in this region.

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Implementation outcomes of policy and programme innovations to prevent obstetric haemorrhage in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Health Policy and Planning ◽

10.1093/heapol/czaa074 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nessa Ryan ◽

Dorice Vieira ◽

Dena Goffman ◽

Evan M Bloch ◽

Godwin O Akaba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Skills Training ◽

Practical Implementation ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Implementation Outcomes ◽

Obstetric Haemorrhage ◽

Prevention Programmes ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Globally, obstetric haemorrhage (OH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality. Much of the associated mortality is ascribed to challenges surrounding deployment of innovations rather than lack of availability. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden is highest, there is a growing interest in implementation research as a means to bridge the ‘know–do’ gap between proven interventions and their reliable implementation at scale. In this systematic review, we identified and synthesized qualitative and quantitative data across the implementation outcomes of OH prevention innovations in LMICs using a taxonomy developed by Proctor et al. We also identified service outcomes for the included innovations, as well as implementation strategies and implementation facilitators and barriers. Eligible studies were empirical, focused on the implementation of OH prevention programmes or policies and occurred in an LMIC. Eight databases were searched. Two authors independently assessed studies for selection and extracted data; the first author resolved discrepancies. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse and interpret the findings. Studies were predominantly focused in Africa and on primary prevention. Interventions included prophylactic use of uterotonics (n = 7), clinical provider skills training (n = 4) and provision of clinical guidelines (n = 1); some (n = 3) were also part of a multi-component quality improvement bundle. Various barriers were reported, including challenges among intervention beneficiaries, providers and within the health system; however, studies reported the development and testing of practical implementation solutions. These included training and monitoring of implementers, community and stakeholder engagement and guidance by external mentors. Some studies linked successful delivery to implementation outcomes, most commonly adoption and acceptability, but also feasibility, penetration and sustainability. Findings suggest that innovations to prevent OH can be acceptable, appropriate and feasible in LMIC settings; however, more research is needed to better evaluate these and other under-reported implementation outcomes.

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Effectiveness of interventions for improving timely diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042788 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e042788

Author(s):

Chukwudi Arnest Nnaji ◽

Paul Kuodi ◽

Fiona M Walter ◽

Jennifer Moodley

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Middle Income ◽

Cervical Cancers ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Timely Diagnosis ◽

Evidence Summary ◽

Low And Middle Income

IntroductionBreast and cervical cancers pose a major public health burden globally, with disproportionately high incidence, morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The majority of women diagnosed with cancer in LMICs present with late-stage disease, the treatment of which is often costlier and less effective. While interventions to improve the timely diagnosis of these cancers are increasingly being implemented in LMICs, there is uncertainty about their role and effectiveness. The aim of this review is to systematically synthesise available evidence on the nature and effectiveness of interventions for improving timely diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers in LMICs.Methods and analysisA comprehensive search of published and relevant grey literature will be conducted. The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Evidence will be synthesised in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Two reviewers will independently screen the search outputs, select studies using predefined inclusion criteria and assess each included study for risk of bias. If sufficient data are available and studies are comparable in terms of interventions and outcomes, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Where studies are not comparable and a meta-analysis is not appropriate, a narrative synthesis of findings will be reported.Ethics and disseminationAs this will be a systematic review of publicly available data, with no primary data collection, it will not require ethical approval. Findings will be disseminated widely through a peer-reviewed publication and forums such as conferences, workshops and community engagement sessions. This review will provide a user-friendly evidence summary for informing further efforts at developing and implementing interventions for addressing delays in breast and cervical cancer diagnosis in LMICs.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020177232.

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Prevention of childhood unintentional injuries in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243464 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0243464

Author(s):

Anna Tupetz ◽

Kaitlyn Friedman ◽

Duan Zhao ◽

Huipeng Liao ◽

Megan Von Isenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Control Group ◽

Unintentional Injuries ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Low And Middle Income

Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability among children. Numerous injury prevention strategies have been successful in high-income countries, but the majority of unintentional injuries happen to children living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This project aims to delineate the childhood injury prevention initiatives in LMICs. For inclusion, peer-reviewed articles needed to address unintentional injury, include children <18, assess a prevention-related intervention, contain a control group, and be published after 1988. Two pairs of reviewers evaluated articles independently to determine study eligibility. 74 articles were included. 30 studies addressed road traffic injuries, 11 drowning, 8 burns, 3 falls, 8 poisonings, and 21 an unspecified injury type. The findings show positive effects on injury outcome measures following educational interventions, the need for longer follow-up periods after the intervention, the need for effectiveness trials for behavior change, and the need for an increase in injury prevention services in LMICs. This is the first systematic review to summarize the prevention initiatives for all types of childhood unintentional injuries in LMICs. Increased attention and funding are required to go beyond educational initiatives with self-reported measures and little follow-up time to robust interventions that will reduce the global burden of unintentional injuries among children.

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A systematic review of interventions targeting men's alcohol use and family relationships in low- and middle-income countries

Global Mental Health ◽

10.1017/gmh.2017.32 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ali Giusto ◽

Eve Puffer

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Problem Drinking ◽

Skills Training ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Life Years ◽

Family Level ◽

Low And Middle Income

Background.Problem drinking accounts for 9.6% of disability-adjusted life years worldwide. It disproportionally affects men and has disabling physical, psychological, and behavioral consequences. These can lead to a cascade of negative effects on men's families, with documented ties to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. These multi-level problems are often exacerbated where poverty rates are high, including low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In contexts where strong patriarchal norms place men in positions of power, family-level consequences are often even more pronounced.Methods.We conducted a systematic review of the literature on interventions in LMICs targeting men's problem drinking and any family-related outcomes. Cochrane and PRISMA procedures guided the review. The search was conducted in PsychInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science.Results.The search yielded 1357 publications. Nine studies from four different countries met inclusion criteria. Of those, only one had the primary goal of simultaneously improving drinking and a related family-level outcome (IPV). Six of the studies documented modest improvements on both drinking and couples or family outcomes. Strategies common to these included cognitive-behavioral techniques, communication skills training, narrative therapy, and participatory learning. Gender-transformative approaches were associated with reduced IPV and more equitable gender norms, and motivational interviewing and behavioral approaches were beneficial for reducing alcohol use.Conclusions.Findings highlight the scarcity of interventions addressing men's drinking and its effects on families, particularly for parent-child outcomes. However, results point to strategies that, combined with other evidence-based family interventions can guide the development and rigorous evaluation of integrated programs.

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The role of clubfoot training programmes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Tropical Doctor ◽

10.1177/0049475520931343 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 291-299

Author(s):

Sharaf Sheik-Ali ◽

Sergio M Navarro ◽

Evan Keil ◽

Chris Lavy

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ponseti Method ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Talipes Equinovarus ◽

Training Programmes ◽

Low And Middle Income

While adoption of the Ponseti method has continued gradually, its use to manage patients with congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) has been limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for a number of reasons including a lack of clinical training on technique and lack of appropriate clinical equipment. There are a frequent number of emerging studies that report on the role of clubfoot training programmes; however, little is known in regard to cumulative benefits. A systematic review was undertaken through Medline, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science for studies analysing clubfoot training programmes. There were no limitations on time, up until the review was commenced on January 2020. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO as 165657. Ten articles complied with the inclusion criteria and were deemed fit for analysis. Training programmes lasted an average of 2–3 days. There was a reported increase in knowledge of applying the Ponseti method in managing clubfoot by participants (four studies P < 0.05). Skill retention was examined by multiple choice (MCQ) examination style questions before and after the training programme in two studies; both showed an improvement (MCQ answers improved from 59% to 73%). All studies showed an improvement in participants' self-reported understanding of the Ponseti method and confidence in its use in future practice ( P < 0.05). There were improved benefits of knowledge and clinical application of the Ponseti method by participants in the programmes in all studies examined. However, there was a significant lack of follow-up and exploration of long-term effects of these programmes. Implementing training programmes based on perceived benefits rather than actual long-term benefits may have a negative impact on healthcare delivery and patient management in LMICs.

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A Systematic Review Investigating the Relation Between Animal-Source Food Consumption and Stunting in Children Aged 6–60 Months in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/advances/nmz018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 827-847 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Myra J Shapiro ◽

Shauna M Downs ◽

Haley J Swartz ◽

Megan Parker ◽

Diana Quelhas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Head Circumference ◽

Iron Status ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Animal Source ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Animal-source foods (ASFs) are a food group of interest for interventions aimed at reducing stunting and other inadequate growth measures in early childhood. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relation between ASF consumption and stunting in children aged 6–60 mo in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The secondary aim was to examine the relation between ASF consumption and other indicators of growth and development (length/height, weight, head circumference, and anemia). A search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature published from January 1980 to June 2017 was conducted. Databases searched included CINAHL, Embase, Global Index Medicus, PubMed, and Web of Science. There were 14,783 records and 116 full text articles dual screened; 21 studies were included in the review and were dual evaluated for risk of bias (RoB). The relation between ASF and stunting (length- or height-for-age z-score←2) was examined in randomized-controlled trials [(RCTs), n = 3] and cross-sectional studies (n = 4) only; ASF reduced stunting in 1 RCT and was associated with reduced stunting in 1 cross-sectional study. We did not identify any longitudinal cohorts that examined this relation. The relation between ASF and secondary indicators length/height, weight, head circumference, and anemia were largely nonsignificant across study designs. The intervention/exposure, comparator, outcome measures, methods, and analyses were highly heterogeneous. Although we did not find a consistent relation between ASF consumption and our primary and secondary outcomes, this may have been a function of inconsistencies in study design. Foods in the whole diet, particularly combination dishes, are inherently difficult to assess. To quantitatively assess the relation between ASF and stunting and other indicators of growth and iron status in early childhood, future research should provide consistency in the definition and quantification of the exposure and outcomes allowing for interstudy quantitative comparisons.

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The Dietary Intake and Practices of Adolescent Girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10121978 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1978 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Emily Keats ◽

Aviva Rappaport ◽

Shailja Shah ◽

Christina Oh ◽

Reena Jain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Double Burden ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Mesh Terms ◽

Low And Middle Income

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the double burden of malnutrition is high among adolescent girls, leading to poor health outcomes for the adolescent herself and sustained intergenerational effects. This underpins the importance of adequate dietary intake during this period of rapid biological development. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current dietary intake and practices among adolescent girls (10–19 years) in LMICs. We searched relevant databases and grey literature using MeSH terms and keywords. After applying specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, 227 articles were selected for data extraction, synthesis, and quality assessment. Of the included studies, 59% were conducted in urban populations, 78% in school settings, and dietary measures and indicators were inconsistent. Mean energy intake was lower in rural settings (1621 ± 312 kcal/day) compared to urban settings (1906 ± 507 kcal/day). Self-reported daily consumption of nutritious foods was low; on average, 16% of girls consumed dairy, 46% consumed meats, 44% consumed fruits, and 37% consumed vegetables. In contrast, energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods, like sweet snacks, salty snacks, fast foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages, were consumed four to six times per week by an average of 63%, 78%, 23%, and 49% of adolescent girls, respectively. 40% of adolescent girls reported skipping breakfast. Along with highlighting the poor dietary habits of adolescent girls in LMIC, this review emphasizes the need for consistently measured and standardized indicators, and dietary intake data that are nationally representative.

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