scholarly journals Prevalence and associated factors of active smoking among individuals living with hypertension and/or diabetes in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e015444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy S Wafeu ◽  
Aurel T Tankeu ◽  
Francky Teddy A Endomba ◽  
Jobert Richie Nansseu ◽  
Arnaud D Kaze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Future Research ◽  
P Value ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Active Smoking ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Factors Associated

IntroductionTobacco use significantly increases cardiovascular complications in people living with hypertension and/or diabetes. We aim to summarise data on the prevalence and factors associated with active smoking in these conditions in Africa.Method and analysisWe will search PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and African Journals Online for relevant abstracts of studies on active smoking in individuals living with diabetes and/or hypertension published from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2016, with no language restriction. Additionally, relevant unpublished papers and conference proceedings will be checked, as well as references of included articles. Two investigators will independently screen, select studies, extract data and assess the risk of bias in each study. Data will be analysed using Stata software (Stata V.14, Texas, USA). The study-specific estimates will be pooled through a random-effects meta-analysis model to obtain an overall summary estimate of the prevalence of smoking across studies. Also, we will assess factors associated to smoking. Heterogeneity of studies will be evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. Funnel plots analysis and Egger’s test will be done to detect publication bias. Results will be presented by geographic region (central, eastern, northern, southern and western Africa). A p value less than 0.05 will be considered significant for factors associated to smoking.Ethics and disseminationThis study is based on published data, and therefore ethical approval is not a requirement. This systematic review and meta-analysis is expected to serve as a basis for designing cost-effective interventions to reduce and prevent smoking in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension, and as a guide for future research based on the remaining gaps. The final report of this study in the form of a scientific paper will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Findings will further be presented at conferences and submitted to relevant health authorities.

scholarly journals Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e0008944
Author(s):  
Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn ◽  
Haileyesus Dejene ◽  
Agerie Addisu ◽  
Shimelis Dagnachew
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Women And Hiv

Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular and neurotropic apicomplexan protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded vertebrates including humans. To date in Ethiopia, no systematic study has been investigated on the overall effects of potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. We intended to determine the potential risk factors (PRFs) associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii from published data among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals of Ethiopia. Methodology An systematic review of the previous reports was made. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar for studies with no restriction on the year of publication. All references were screened independently in duplicate and were included if they presented data on at least two risk factors. Meta-analysis using the random or fixed-effects model was made to calculate the overall effects for each exposure. Results Of the 216 records identified, twenty-four reports met our eligibility criteria, with a total of 6003 individuals (4356 pregnant women and 1647 HIV infected individuals). The pooled prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found at 72.5% (95% CI: 58.7% - 83.1%) in pregnant women and 85.7% (95% CI: 76.3% - 91.8%) in HIV infected individuals. A significant overall effect of anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among pregnant women (p < 0.05) was witnessed with age, abortion history, contact with cats, cat ownership, having knowledge about toxoplasmosis, being a housewife and having unsafe water source. Age, cat ownership, and raw meat consumption were also shown a significant effect (p < 0.05) to anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among HIV infected individuals. Conclusions This review showed gaps and drawbacks in the earlier studies that are useful to keep in mind to design accurate investigations in the future. The pooled prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was found to be higher among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. This suggests that thousands of immunocompromised individuals (pregnant women and HIV infected patients) are at risk of toxoplasmosis due to the sociocultural and living standards of the communities of Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures are needed to reduce the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Further studies to investigate important risk factors are recommended to support the development of more cost-effective preventive strategies.

scholarly journals Neuroimaging of headaches in patients with normal neurological examination: protocol for a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e020190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernold Kenteu ◽  
Yannick F Fogang ◽  
Ulrich Flore Nyaga ◽  
Joseline G Zafack ◽  
Jean Jacques Noubiap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Neurological Examination ◽  
Incidental Findings ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Standard Data ◽  
Ethical Approval

IntroductionHeadache disorders (HD) are among the most frequent neurological disorders seen in neurology practice. Because secondary HD are rare, patients’ examination is most often unremarkable. However, the will to relieve patients’ anxiety and the fear of prosecutions lead to overuse of neuroimaging thus resulting in the discovery of incidental findings (IF) or normal variants that can lead to futile or harmful procedures. Knowing the probability of identifying a potentially clinically significant lesion in patients with isolated headache could facilitate decision-making and reduce health costs. This review aims to determine the prevalence of incidental findings and normal anatomic variants (NAV) on neuroimaging studies performed in patients presenting with headache and normal neurological examination.Method and analysisStudies reporting neuroimaging findings in patients with headache and normal neurological examination and published before the 30 September 2017 will be identified by searching PubMed, Medline and EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database). Relevant unpublished papers and conference proceedings will also be checked. Full texts of eligible studies will then be accessed and data extracted using a standard data extraction sheet. Studies will be assessed for quality and risk of bias. Heterogeneity of studies will be evaluated by the χ2test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. The prevalence of NAV and IF across studies and in relevant subgroups will be estimated by pooling the study-specific estimates using a random-effects meta-analysis. Visual analysis of funnel plot and Egger’s test will be used to detect publication bias. The report of this systematic review will be compliant with the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThe current study is based on published data; ethical approval is, therefore, not required. The final report of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Furthermore, findings will be presented at conferences and submitted to relevant health authorities.Trial registration numberCRD42017079714.

scholarly journals Delayed diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in high-burden countries: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e029807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvin Kuo Jing Teo ◽  
Shweta R Singh ◽  
Kiesha Prem ◽  
Li Yang Hsu ◽  
Siyan Yi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
High Burden ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis

IntroductionCountries identified to bear the highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence account for approximately 85% of the global TB burden. TB is curable, yet nearly 40% of TB cases remained undiagnosed hence delaying treatment and perpetuating transmission. This systematic review aimed to review current evidence on factors associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment of TB in the high TB-burden countries.Methods and analysisThis systematic review will incorporate qualitative and observational study designs published between 2008 and 2018. Articles will be retrieved from major databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Reference lists of key articles, including relevant systematic reviews and meta-analysis, will be screened for additional studies. Two independent reviewers will screen and select studies, extract data and assess the quality and risk of bias of each study. Study-specific estimates will be pooled by meta-analysis, and effect sizes will be presented as OR and their 95% CI. Levels of heterogeneity will be evaluated using chi-square statistic Q and I2. Publication bias will be assessed using forest plots and Egger’s tests. Qualitative findings and sample quotes will be extracted. Textual references to the topics of interest will be retrieved and categorised using qualitative thematic analysis. We will triangulate quantitative and qualitative findings for a complete understanding of the reasons for delayed TB diagnosis and treatment. Results will be presented by geographical region.Ethics and disseminationThis study will be conducted based on published data. This systematic review may provide insights into the reasons for delayed TB diagnosis in high-burden countries. These findings will also inform future research and key stakeholders in developing interventions to reach these undiagnosed cases effectively. Findings from this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018107237

scholarly journals Mapping tuberculosis prevalence in Ethiopia: protocol for a geospatial meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e034704
Author(s):  
Kefyalew Addis Alene ◽  
Zeleke Alebachew Wagaw ◽  
Archie C A Clements
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Journal ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Spatial Prediction ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Prevalence Data

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB), a major public health concern in Ethiopia, is distributed heterogeneously across the country. Mapping TB prevalence at national and subnational levels can provide information for designing and implementing control strategies. Data for spatial analysis can be obtained through systematic review of the literature, and spatial prediction can be done by meta-analysis of published data (geospatial meta-analysis). Geospatial meta-analysis can increase the power of spatial analytic models by making use of all available data. It can also provide a means for spatial prediction where new survey data in a given area are sparse or not available. In this report, we present a protocol for a geospatial meta-analysis to investigate the spatial patterns of TB prevalence in Ethiopia.Methods and analysisTo conduct this study, a national TB prevalence survey, supplemented with data from a systematic review of published reports, will be used as the source of TB prevalence data. Systematic searching will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for studies published up to 15 April 2020 to identify all potential publications reporting TB prevalence in Ethiopia. Data for covariates for multivariable analysis will be obtained from different, readily available sources. Extracted TB survey and covariate data will be georeferenced to specific locations or the centroids of small administrative areas. A binomial logistic regression model will be fitted to TB prevalence data using both fixed covariate effects and random geostatistical effects based on the approach of model-based geostatistics. Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation will be conducted to obtained posterior parameter estimations, including spatially predicted prevalence.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval will not be required for this study as it will be based on deidentified, aggregate published data. The final report of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will also be presented at relevant conferences.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of ovine neosporosis worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 2111-2126
Author(s):  
Paulo Roberto Romanelli ◽  
◽  
Eloiza Teles Caldart ◽  
Felippe Danyel Cardoso Martins ◽  
Camila Marinelli Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
P Value ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, has been widely reported and discussed as a major disease associated with reproductive problems in herds of various animal species. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and risk factors associated with ovine neosporosis worldwide. This is the first systematic review, which was performed according to the established preferred reporting items in systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to address ovine neosporosis. Four databases were used in this study: PubMed, SciELO, Web of Science, and Scopus. The selected keywords were “neospora AND sheep,” “neosporosis AND sheep,” “neospora AND lamb,” “neosporosis AND lamb,” “neospora AND ewe,” and “neosporosis AND ewe.” The meta-analysis calculations were performed with random-effects models for proportions, and heterogeneity was tested using the I2 test. This study identified 24 studies on ovine neosporosis, nine of which evaluated the factors associated with the risk of seropositivity. After meta-analysis, the pooled estimated prevalence was 12% (95% CI, 8-16%; I² p-value < 0.01). The evaluation of the included studies allowed the identification of ovine neosporosis distribution in continents according to demonstrated prevalence rates. We confirmed via metaanalysis that the use of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of ovine neosporosis was not a source of data heterogeneity. The presence of dogs on the properties was reported as the main risk factor associated with the occurrence of ovine neosporosis; however, this was not confirmed by the meta-analysis.

scholarly journals Global prevalence of diabetic retinopathy: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e022188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Cheloni ◽  
Stefano A Gandolfi ◽  
Carlo Signorelli ◽  
Anna Odone
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Subgroup Analyses

IntroductionWith increasing diabetes trends worldwide, morbidity, mortality and associated costs due to diabetes-related complications are a global public health concern. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is among the leading causes of vision loss at the global level; accurate estimates of DR burden is of crucial importance for planning, implementing and evaluating DR prevention and care interventions.The available evidence on DR prevalence at the global level, dating back to 2008, only considered data from selected regions. Taking into account the rapidly changing patterns in DR epidemiology, the aim of the current study is to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to derive solid and updated estimates on global and setting-specific DR prevalence.Methods and analysisThe systematic review methods have been defined following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published from 2008 through 2018 will be identified searching the electronic databases Embase, Medline, Cochrane, ISI Web of Knowledge, as well as through grey literature search. Retrieved records will be independently screened by two authors and relevant data will be extracted from studies reporting data on DR prevalence among individuals with diabetes. Prevalence pooled estimates of any form of DR and vision-threatening DR will be computed applying random-effects meta-analysis. Interstudy heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2 statistic and explored through meta regressions and subgroup analyses. Depending on data availability, we plan to conduct subgroup analyses by study population, diabetes type, DR severity, geographical region and other selected clinical and sociodemographic variables of interest. Quality appraisal of the studies will be performed.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required as this is a review of anonymised published data. Findings of the final report will be shared with the scientific community through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at conferences, as well as with key stakeholders, including national and international health authorities, health policy makers, healthcare professionals and the general population.Clinical trial registrationCRD42018085260.

scholarly journals Factors associated with virtual reality sickness in head-mounted displays: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Ancret Szpak ◽  
Brandon Birckhead ◽  
Hannah AD Keage ◽  
Albert Rizzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Head Mounted Displays ◽  
The Impact

The use of head-mounted displays (HMD) for virtual reality (VR) application-based purposes including therapy, rehabilitation, and training is increasing. Despite advancements in VR technologies, many users still experience sickness symptoms. VR sickness may be influenced by technological differences within HMDs such as resolution and refresh rate, however VR content also plays a significant role. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the literature on HMD’s that report Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) scores to determine the impact of content. User factors associated with VR sickness were also examined. A systematic search was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Fifty-five articles met inclusion criteria, representing 3,016 participants (mean age range 19.5-80; 41% female). Findings show gaming content recorded the highest total SSQ mean 34.26 (95%CI 29.57-38.95). VR sickness profiles were also influenced by visual stimulation, locomotion and exposure times. Older samples (mean age ≥35 years) scored significantly lower total SSQ means than younger samples, however these findings are based on a small evidence base as a limited number of studies included older users. No sex differences were found. Across all types of content, the pooled total SSQ mean was relatively high 28.00 (95%CI 24.66-31.35) compared with recommended SSQ cut-off scores. These findings are of relevance for informing future research and the application of VR in different contexts.

scholarly journals The worldwide burden of HIV in transgender individuals: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260063
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Stutterheim ◽  
Mart van Dijk ◽  
Haoyi Wang ◽  
Kai J. Jonas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Hiv Prevalence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Hiv Risks ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
The Impact

Introduction Transgender individuals are at risk for HIV. HIV risks are dynamic and there have been substantial changes in HIV prevention (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]). It is thus time to revisit HIV prevalence and burden among transgender individuals. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was thus to examine worldwide prevalence and burden of HIV over the course of the epidemic among trans feminine and trans masculine individuals. Methods We conducted an updated systematic review by searching PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, for studies of any research design published in in a peer-reviewed journal in any language that reported HIV prevalence among transgender individuals published between January 2000 and January 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed methodological quality. We then conducted a meta-analysis, using random-effects modelling, to ascertain standardized prevalence and the relative burden of HIV carried by transgender individuals by country and year of data collection, and then by geographic region. We additionally explored the impact of sampling methods and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Results Based on 98 studies, overall standardized HIV prevalence over the course of the epidemic, based on weights from each country by year, was 19.9% (95% CI 14.7% - 25.1%) for trans feminine individuals (n = 48,604) and 2.56% (95% CI 0.0% - 5.9%) for trans masculine individuals (n = 6460). Overall OR for HIV infection, compared with individuals over age 15, was 66.0 (95% CI 51.4–84.8) for trans feminine individuals and 6.8 (95% CI 3.6–13.1) for trans masculine individuals. Prevalence varied by geographic region (13.5% - 29.9%) and sampling method (5.4% - 37.8%). Lastly, PrEP effects on prevalence could not be established. Conclusion Trans feminine and trans masculine individuals are disproportionately burdened by HIV. Their unique prevention and care needs should be comprehensively addressed. Future research should further investigate the impact of sampling methods on HIV prevalence, and monitor the potential impact of PrEP.

scholarly journals Safety and Efficacy of Spray Intranasal Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 998
Author(s):  
Giulia Perego ◽  
Giacomo Pietro Vigezzi ◽  
Giulia Cocciolo ◽  
Federica Chiappa ◽  
Stefano Salvati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
P Value ◽  
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Starting Point

Although influenza is a major public health concern, little is known about the use of spray live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) among adults. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of LAIV, especially in adults with/without clinical conditions and children <2 years, with the final aim of possibly extending the clinical indications. PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were the two databases consulted through February 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. A critical appraisal was conducted. Analyses were performed by using ProMeta3 software. Twenty-two studies were included, showing that LAIV was associated with a higher probability of seroconversion when compared with a placebo and considering the A/H1N1 serotype (pooled OR = 2.26 (95% CI = 1.12–4.54), p-value = 0.022; based on 488 participants, without heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%)). The meta-analysis also confirmed no significant association with systemic adverse events. Only rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and sore throat were significantly associated with LAIV compared to the placebo. Despite limited available evidence, LAIV has proved to be a safe and effective flu vaccination, also due to its very low invasiveness, and our review’s results can be considered a starting point for guiding future research and shaping forthcoming vaccination campaigns.

Are Digital Interventions Effective for Preventing Alcohol Consumption in Pregnancy?: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah (So Yeon) Oh ◽  
Carol Mita ◽  
Doukyoung Chon ◽  
Jourdyn Lawrence ◽  
Jongyoon Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Future Research ◽  
P Value ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
In Pregnancy

BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption in pregnancy has been associated with serious fetal health risk and maternal complications. While previous systematic reviews of digital interventions during pregnancy have targeted smoking cessation and flu vaccine uptake, fewer studies have sought to evaluate their effectiveness in preventing alcohol consumption during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to assess 1) whether digital interventions are effective in preventing alcohol consumption during the pregnancy/pregnancy-planning period, and 2) the differential effectiveness of alternative digital intervention platforms, i.e., computer, mobile, text messaging. METHODS PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched for studies with digital interventions aiming to prevent alcohol consumption among pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant. A random-effects primary meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the combined effect size and extent to which different digital platforms were successful in preventing alcohol consumption in pregnancy. RESULTS Six studies were identified and included in the final review. The primary meta-analysis produced a sample-weighted odds ratio (OR) of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.42-0.91, p-value = 0.0150) in favor of digital interventions decreasing risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy when compared to controls. Computer/internet-based interventions (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.93) were an effective platform for preventing alcohol consumption. Too few studies of text messaging (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.29-2.52) were available to draw a conclusion. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our review highlights the potential for digital interventions to prevent alcohol consumption among pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant. Considering the advantages of digital interventions in promoting healthy behavioral changes, future research is necessary to understand how certain platforms may increase user engagement and intervention effectiveness to prevent women from consuming alcohol during their pregnancies. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

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