scholarly journals Do improved biomass cookstove interventions improve indoor air quality and blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitya Kumar ◽  
Eunice Phillip ◽  
Helen Cooper ◽  
Megan Davis ◽  
Jessica Langevin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundHousehold air pollution (HAP) kills 4 million annually, with access to clean cooking being a challenge for 37% of the world’s population. Whilst there have been advancements in improved biomass cookstove (ICS) technologies, reviews on the impact of these ICS on HAP are now more than three years old.ObjectivesThis review and meta-analysis examines the most recent evidence on the impact of ICS on HAP and blood pressure (BP).MethodsA literature search was conducted using scientific literature databases and grey literature. Studies were included if they were published between January 2012 and June 2020, reported impact of ICS interventions in non-pregnant adults in low/middle-income countries, and reported post-intervention results along with baseline of traditional cookstoves. Outcomes included 24- or 48-hour averages of kitchen area fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), mean systolic BP (SBP) and mean diastolic BP (DBP). Meta-analyses estimated weighted mean differences between baseline and post-intervention values for all outcome measures.ResultsNine studies were included; eight contributed estimates for HAP and three for BP. Interventions lead to significant reductions in PM2.5 (−0.28 mg/m3, 95% CI: -0.46, -0.10), CO (−6.59ppm, 95%CI: - 10.73, -2.46) and SBP (−2.82mmHg, 95% CI: -5.53, -0.11); and a non-significant reduction in DBP (−0.80 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.33, 0.73), when compared to baseline of traditional cookstoves. Except for DBP, greatest reductions in all outcomes came from standard combustion ICS with a chimney, compared to ICS without a chimney and advanced combustion ICS. WHO air quality targets were met by post-intervention values for CO but not for PM2.5.ConclusionOur review suggests that ICS with a chimney results in the greatest reductions in HAP and BP. Further research on qualitative impact of such ICS on end-users is required to understand feasibility of adoption at scale.

scholarly journals Understanding loneliness: a systematic review of the impact of social prescribing initiatives on loneliness

2021 ◽  
pp. 175791392096704
Author(s):  
GY Reinhardt ◽  
D Vidovic ◽  
C Hammerton
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Aims: The aim of this systematic literature review is to assess the impact of social prescribing (SP) programmes on loneliness among participants and the population. Methods: We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to search EBSCOHost (CINAHL Complete, eBook Collection, E-Journals, MEDLINE with Full Text, Open Dissertations, PsycARTICLES, and PsycINFO), UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Web of Science Core Collection, and grey literature. We included studies measuring the effectiveness and impact of SP programmes in terms of loneliness. We excluded systematic reviews and studies without evaluations. Due to the absence of confidence intervals and the low number of studies, we conduct no meta-analysis. Results: From 4415 unique citations, nine articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies do not use uniform measures or randomised samples. All nine studies report positive individual impacts; three report reductions in general practitioner (GP), A&E, social worker, or inpatient/outpatient services; and one shows that belonging to a group reduces loneliness and healthcare usage. Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review indicate that individuals and service providers view SP as a helpful tool to address loneliness. However, evidence variability and the small number of studies make it difficult to draw a conclusion on the extent of the impact and the pathways to achieving positive change. More research is needed into the impact of SP programmes on participants, populations, and communities in terms of loneliness, isolation, and connectedness, especially in light of the surge in SP activity as a key part of pandemic response.

scholarly journals Economic costs of infertility care for patients in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e042951
Author(s):  
Purity Njagi ◽  
Wim Groot ◽  
Jelena Arsenijevic ◽  
Silke Dyer ◽  
Gitau Mburu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries

IntroductionInfertility, a condition of the reproductive system, affects millions of individuals and couples worldwide. Despite infertility treatment’s existence, it is largely unavailable and inaccessible in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) due to the prohibitive costs compounded by an absence of financing. Previous systematic reviews have shown that there is scanty information in LMICs on out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for infertility treatment. This protocol outlines the methodological approach and analytical process to appraise the extent of economic burden due to payments for infertility care services in LMICs.Method and analysisUsing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach, we will primarily search for articles indexed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EconLit and PsycINFO databases. Grey literature from relevant organisations’ virtual libraries shall also be searched. Backward and forward searches on the articles selected will also be done. Quantitative studies on infertility treatment costs from LMICs across the world regions within the last 20 years will be considered. The primary outcome of interest shall include OOP payments, catastrophic health expenditure and direct costs for infertility services. Conversely, informal payments and indirect costs related to infertility treatments shall be considered as secondary outcomes. Integrated quality Criteria for Review Of Multiple Study designs will be used to assess the quality of the studies included in the review. Meta-analysis shall be considered if sufficient studies identified are homogenous in characteristics. Also, the review shall analyse the average cost of infertility treatment against the respective countries’ economic indicators like gross domestic product per capita if data permit.Ethics and disseminationResearch and ethics approval will not be required given this will be a review of published articles on the subject. The findings shall be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation to the WHO and its partners.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020199312.

scholarly journals Delivering nutrition interventions to women and children in conflict settings: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. e004897
Author(s):  
Shailja Shah ◽  
Zahra Ali Padhani ◽  
Daina Als ◽  
Mariella Munyuzangabo ◽  
Michelle F Gaffey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
African Region ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Conflict Settings ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Women And Children

BackgroundLow/middle-income countries (LMICs) face triple burden of malnutrition associated with infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases. This review aims to synthesise the available data on the delivery, coverage, and effectiveness of the nutrition programmes for conflict affected women and children living in LMICs.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases and grey literature using terms related to conflict, population, and nutrition. We searched studies on women and children receiving nutrition-specific interventions during or within five years of a conflict in LMICs. We extracted information on population, intervention, and delivery characteristics, as well as delivery barriers and facilitators. Data on intervention coverage and effectiveness were tabulated, but no meta-analysis was conducted.ResultsNinety-one pubblications met our inclusion criteria. Nearly half of the publications (n=43) included population of sub-Saharan Africa (n=31) followed by Middle East and North African region. Most publications (n=58) reported on interventions targeting children under 5 years of age, and pregnant and lactating women (n=27). General food distribution (n=34), micronutrient supplementation (n=27) and nutrition assessment (n=26) were the most frequently reported interventions, with most reporting on intervention delivery to refugee populations in camp settings (n=63) and using community-based approaches. Only eight studies reported on coverage and effectiveness of intervention. Key delivery facilitators included community advocacy and social mobilisation, effective monitoring and the integration of nutrition, and other sectoral interventions and services, and barriers included insufficient resources, nutritional commodity shortages, security concerns, poor reporting, limited cooperation, and difficulty accessing and following-up of beneficiaries.DiscussionDespite the focus on nutrition in conflict settings, our review highlights important information gaps. Moreover, there is very little information on coverage or effectiveness of nutrition interventions; more rigorous evaluation of effectiveness and delivery approaches is needed, including outside of camps and for preventive as well as curative nutrition interventions.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019125221.

scholarly journals Meta-analysis of pharmacist-led and pharmacist-physician intervention on blood pressure control

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Memisoglu ◽  
Yusuf Çelik
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Blood Pressure Control ◽  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Patient Adherence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Effective intervention is a significant component in the improvement of blood pressure control and patient adherence. Blood pressure control includes different self-monitoring techniques, mobile health monitoring, or healthcare professionals’ interventions. This study aims to compare, analyze, and interpret the effectiveness of pharmacist-physician collaboration and pharmacist- led interventions. Meta-analysis was performed using MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases between 2008-2018. Of the 51 relevant systematic reviews identified, 15 were of sufficient quality and included in the data synthesis. The breakdown of the 15 included 7 (n=2026) pharmacist and 8 pharmacist-physician interventions (n=2361). The impact of pharmacist-physician collaboration and pharmacist-led interventions on Systolic Blood Pressure was –8.22 (–11.01; –5.42) (P<0.01) and –7.68 (–9.30; –6.06) (P=0.35), respectively. On the other hand, similar correlation for Diastolic Blood Pressure for the impact of pharmacist-physician collaboration and pharmacist-led interventions was –3.55 (–4.54; –2.55) (P=0.49) and –2.58 (–3.76; –1.39) (P=0.24), respectively. These results suggest that both interventions are effective for blood pressure control. However, when two meta-analyses were compared, it was found that pharmacist-physician collaboration was more effective than pharmacist-led interventions. This finding highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches during blood pressure control procedures. When a holistic view is considered; especially cost-effectiveness, future studies must be diversified to encompass a broader context and impact analysis.

scholarly journals Interventions designed to improve vaccination uptake: Scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses - protocol (version 1)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Heneghan ◽  
Annette Pluddemann ◽  
Elizabeth A Spencer ◽  
Jon Brassey ◽  
Cecilia Rosca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Hand Search ◽  
Vaccination Uptake ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Vaccine uptake varies substantially, and resources to promote the uptake of vaccines differ widely by country and income level. As a result, immunization rates are often suboptimal. There is a need to understand what works, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and other settings where resources are scarce. Methods: We plan to conduct a scoping review of interventions designed to increase vaccination uptake We will include systematic reviews and meta-analyses of interventional studies that address the question of vaccine uptake. We will search the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Google Scholar, LILACs and TRIP database (which covers guidelines and the grey literature) until 01 July 2021 and hand-search the reference lists of included articles. We will include systematic reviews that comprise studies of all ages if they report quantitative data on the impact on vaccine uptake. To assess the quality, we will use a modified AMSTAR score and ate the quality of the evidence in included reviews using the "Grade of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation" (GRADE). Expected results We intend to present the evidence using summary tables to present the evidence stratified by vaccine coverage, the specific population, e.g., children, adolescents and older adults, and by setting, e.g. healthcare, community. We will also present when low middle-income subgroups are reported.

scholarly journals Timing of Pubertal Milestones in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 951-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna L Moodie ◽  
Susan C Campisi ◽  
Kristen Salena ◽  
Megan Wheatley ◽  
Ashley Vandermorris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Tanner Stage ◽  
High Income ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

ABSTRACT Despite increasing global attention to adolescent health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), limited literature exists on the timing of pubertal development in these settings. This study aimed to determine the age at menarche (AAM) and age of puberty onset [female Tanner Stage Breast 2 (B2) and male Tanner Stage Genital 2 (G2)] among healthy adolescents living in LMICs. It also aimed to explore the impact of nutritional status on pubertal timing in this population. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, and grey literature databases were searched. Observational studies and control arms of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with healthy participants from LMICs born in or after 1998 were included. Pooled estimates with 95% CIs were calculated by random-effects meta-analyses using the DerSimonian and Laird inverse variance method for each pubertal milestone and by BMI category subgroups. Twenty-seven studies were included in the meta-analysis, representing 90,188 adolescents (78.3% female). Pooled mean estimates for AAM for normal, thin, and overweight BMI groupings were 12.3 y (95% CI: 12.1, 12.5), 12.4 y (95% CI: 12.2, 12.6), and 12.1 y (95% CI: 11.7, 12.5), respectively. For Tanner Stage B2, pooled mean age estimates for normal, thin, and overweight BMI groupings were 10.4 y (95% CI: 9.2, 11.6), 10.2 y (95% CI: 9.3, 11.4), and 8.4 y (95% CI: 6.8, 10.0), respectively. Finally, for Tanner Stage G2, pooled mean estimates for normal, thin, and overweight BMI groupings were 11.0 y (95% CI: 10.3, 11.7), 11.3 y (95% CI: 9.8, 12.9), and 10.3 y (95% CI: 10.0, 10.6), respectively. Data on the timing of pubertal milestones has traditionally come from high-income settings. In this systematic review of contemporary data from adolescents in LMICs, AAM, as well as age at pubertal onset, were similar to those reported from high-income settings.

scholarly journals Early life risk factors of motor, cognitive and language development: a pooled analysis of studies from low/middle-income countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e026449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Sania ◽  
Christopher R Sudfeld ◽  
Goodarz Danaei ◽  
Günther Fink ◽  
Dana C McCoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Meta Analyses

ObjectiveTo determine the magnitude of relationships of early life factors with child development in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).DesignMeta-analyses of standardised mean differences (SMDs) estimated from published and unpublished data.Data sourcesWe searched Medline, bibliographies of key articles and reviews, and grey literature to identify studies from LMICs that collected data on early life exposures and child development. The most recent search was done on 4 November 2014. We then invited the first authors of the publications and investigators of unpublished studies to participate in the study.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies that assessed at least one domain of child development in at least 100 children under 7 years of age and collected at least one early life factor of interest were included in the study.AnalysesLinear regression models were used to assess SMDs in child development by parental and child factors within each study. We then produced pooled estimates across studies using random effects meta-analyses.ResultsWe retrieved data from 21 studies including 20 882 children across 13 LMICs, to assess the associations of exposure to 14 major risk factors with child development. Children of mothers with secondary schooling had 0.14 SD (95% CI 0.05 to 0.25) higher cognitive scores compared with children whose mothers had primary education. Preterm birth was associated with 0.14 SD (–0.24 to –0.05) and 0.23 SD (–0.42 to –0.03) reductions in cognitive and motor scores, respectively. Maternal short stature, anaemia in infancy and lack of access to clean water and sanitation had significant negative associations with cognitive and motor development with effects ranging from −0.18 to −0.10 SDs.ConclusionsDifferential parental, environmental and nutritional factors contribute to disparities in child development across LMICs. Targeting these factors from prepregnancy through childhood may improve health and development of children.

scholarly journals The Impact of Different Types of Shift Work on Blood Pressure and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6738
Author(s):  
Sara Gamboa Madeira ◽  
Carina Fernandes ◽  
Teresa Paiva ◽  
Carlos Santos Moreira ◽  
Daniel Caldeira
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Shift Work ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ottawa Scale

Shift work (SW) encompasses 20% of the European workforce. Moreover, high blood pressure (BP) remains a leading cause of death globally. This review aimed to synthesize the magnitude of the potential impact of SW on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and hypertension (HTN). MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases were searched for epidemiological studies evaluating BP and/or HTN diagnosis among shift workers, compared with day workers. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed and the results were expressed as pooled mean differences or odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Forty-five studies were included, involving 117,252 workers. We found a significant increase in both SBD and DBP among permanent night workers (2.52 mmHg, 95% CI 0.75–4.29 and 1.76 mmHg, 95% CI 0.41–3.12, respectively). For rotational shift workers, both with and without night work, we found a significant increase but only for SBP (0.65 mmHg, 95% CI 0.07–1.22 and 1.28 mmHg, 95% CI 0.18–2.39, respectively). No differences were found for HTN. Our findings suggest that SW is associated with an increase of BP, mainly for permanent night workers and for SBP. This is of special interest given the large number of susceptible workers exposed over time.

The Impact of Covid 19 on Pregnant Women and Child Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1367-1373
Author(s):  
Nikhil Sanjay Mujbaile ◽  
Smita Damke
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Separation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
General Wellbeing

The Covid illness (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly all through the world and has had a drawn-out impact. The Pandemic has done incredible damage to society and made genuine mental injury to numerous individuals. Mental emergencies frequently cause youngsters to deliver sentiments of relinquishment, despondency, insufficiency, and fatigue and even raise the danger of self-destruction. Youngsters with psychological instabilities are particularly powerless during the isolate and colonial removing period. Convenient and proper assurances are expected to forestall the event of mental and social issues. The rising advanced applications and wellbeing administrations, for example, telehealth, web-based media, versatile wellbeing, and far off intuitive online instruction can connect the social separation and backing mental and conduct wellbeing for youngsters. Because of the mental advancement qualities of youngsters, this investigation additionally outlines intercessions on the mental effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Further difficulties in Low Middle-Income Countries incorporate the failure to actualize successful general wellbeing estimates, for example, social separating, hand cleanliness, definitive distinguishing proof of contaminated individuals with self-disconnection and widespread utilization of covers The aberrant impacts of the Pandemic on youngster wellbeing are of extensive concern, including expanding neediness levels, upset tutoring, absence of admittance to the class taking care of plans, decreased admittance to wellbeing offices and breaks in inoculation and other kid wellbeing programs. Kept tutoring is critical for kids in Low Middle-Income Countries. Arrangement of safe situations is mainly testing in packed asset obliged schools. 

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