Interventions and social functioning in youth at risk of psychosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Background: The prevention of child abuse and neglect is an urgent matter, as abuse and neglect are associated with serious effects even into adulthood, and as there is an increased risk of the offspring of abused children being abused themselves. Intervening as early as possible may prevent abuse that can begin in infancy. Although several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have investigated the effects of interventions on populations at risk for child abuse and neglect, few studies have focused on at-risk women or interventions that start during perinatal periods. This study aims to describe a systematic review to examine the effects of interventions to prevent child abuse and neglect that begin during pregnancy and just after childbirth (less than one year). The study will involve performing a systematic review and meta-analysis based on the latest research articles up to and including November 2020 and a broader literature search.Methods: The protocol was prepared using the 2015 statement of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. The review will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines/statements. The literature search will be performed using the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception onward. Randomized controlled trials of interventions that begin during pregnancy or the first year postpartum and are designed to prevent child abuse and neglect in at-risk families will be included. Data collection, quality assessment, and statistical syntheses will be conducted by following methods in the protocol that are defined in advance.Discussion: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be important in clinical and political settings for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The results of this study will provide a basis for the development of evidence-based intervention programs for expectant and new parents and child abuse prevention policies. Additionally, this study will encourage future studies to conduct more evidence-based intervention programs and illuminate the direction of research on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021266462

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Prevalence of At-Risk Marriages among Couples attending Premarital Screening (PMS) Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

University of the Future: Re-Imagining Research and Higher Education ◽

10.29117/quarfe.2020.0167 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

BibiAsma Syed ◽

Mashael Alshafai ◽

Karam Turk-Adawi

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

At Risk ◽

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Genetic Diseases ◽

World Health ◽

Middle East Countries ◽

Mesh Terms ◽

Premarital Screening

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are among the most common inherited genetic diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 5% of the world’s population are carriers for hemoglobinopathies (2.9% for thalassemia and 2.3% for sickle cell disease). Programs like premarital screening (PMS) have been developed in most Middle East countries on a mandatory basis to reduce atrisk marriages by providing counseling after a confirmed “genetic carrier” state for hemoglobinopathies. Aim/Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of atrisk marriages globally and see the variation by region, income level, ethnicity, study period, implementation year of PMS program, study design and consanguinity proportion. Methods: Different databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched systematically by using key terms and MeSH Terms. Studies from Google Scholar and reference lists of studies were also collected, and the author extracted all relevant data. Two reviewers independently conducted quality assessment by using Hoy et al (2012) risk of bias tool. Quality effects model (QEM) was used due to considerable heterogeneity observed between studies. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed for assessing the causes of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of at-risk marriages among total couples at-risk was 64% (95% CI: 49%- 78%). Estimates of several subgroups were found to be different as compared to the overall pooled estimate. Funnel plot and Doi plot indicated the presence of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis including only studies with low risk led to a pooled estimate of 52% (CI: 46%, 57%) and indicated absence of publication bias. Conclusion and recommendations: The pooled estimates varied widely and there was a substantial heterogeneity among studies, therefore, there is a need for more well-designed studies across different countries. Moreover, the importance of the quality of counseling sessions should be stressed and combined with efforts in other community sectors, such as high schools where students can attain high knowledge regarding genetic diseases before the age of marriage.

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