Rehabilitation and reintegration programming adjunct to female genital fistula surgery: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionFemale genital fistula is a debilitating traumatic injury, largely birth-associated, globally affecting up to 2 million women, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Fistula has significant physical, psychological and economic consequences. Women often face challenges in reintegrating and resuming prior roles despite successful surgery. Synthesising the evidence on services adjunct to fistula surgery and their outcomes is important for developing the evidence base for best practices and identifying research priorities. This scoping review seeks to examine the range of rehabilitation and reintegration services provided as adjunct to genital fistula surgery, map the existing programming and outcomes, and identify areas for additional research.Methods and analysisOur scoping review is informed by existing methodological frameworks and will be conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-ScR guidelines. The search strategy will be applied to nine biomedical, public health and social science databases. The initial search was completed on 27 September 2018. Grey literature will be identified through targeted Google searches and from organisational websites identified as relevant by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Campaign to End Fistula. We will iteratively build our search strategy through term harvesting and review, and search reference lists of reports and articles to identify additional studies. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, followed by full-text screening of all potentially relevant articles and standardised data extraction. Articles eligible for inclusion will discuss research or programmatic efforts around service provision in adjunct to surgery among females with genital fistula. Data will be presented in summary tables accompanied by narrative description.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for a scoping review. Our results can be used to inform policy, serve as support for funding and development of reintegration programmes and highlight areas for subsequent research. Results will be disseminated at relevant conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programming Following Female Genital Fistula Surgery: A Scoping Review

Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ◽

10.3126/njog.v13i2.21894 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Alison M El Ayadi

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Social Reintegration ◽

Fistula Surgery ◽

Medical Librarian ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Genital Fistula ◽

Full Text Screening

Aims: To examine the range of rehabilitation and reintegration services provided as adjunct to genital fistula surgery, map the existing programming and outcomes, and identify areas where additional research is necessary. Methods: Our scoping review is informed by existing methodological frameworks and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.The search strategy was designed in collaboration with a medical librarian and is applied to nine biomedical, public health, and social science databases. Grey literature is identified through targeted searches and relevant organizational websites. Two primary reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts of all articles, followed by full-text screening and standardized data extraction. Eligible articles will discuss research or programmatic efforts around service provision in adjunct to surgery. Results: The literature review is currently underway and preliminary results including summary tables and narrative will be available to share at the ISOFS conference. Conclusions: The results of this scoping review will help in understanding and describing what is known and unknown about rehabilitation and social reintegration of women following genital fistula surgery in sub-Saharan Africa and may be useful in developing and evaluating social reintegration projects.

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Financing of surgery and anaesthesia in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051617 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. e051617

Author(s):

Martilord Ifeanyichi ◽

Ellis Aune ◽

Mark Shrime ◽

Jakub Gajewski ◽

Chiara Pittalis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

National Level ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Health Priorities ◽

Situational Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Anaesthesia Care

ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide an overview of current knowledge and situational analysis of financing of surgery and anaesthesia across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).SettingSurgical and anaesthesia services across all levels of care—primary, secondary and tertiary.DesignWe performed a scoping review of scientific databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Global Health and African Index Medicus), grey literature and websites of development organisations. Screening and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers and abstracted data were summarised using thematic narrative synthesis per the financing domains: mobilisation, pooling and purchasing.ResultsThe search resulted in 5533 unique articles among which 149 met the inclusion criteria: 132 were related to mobilisation, 17 to pooling and 5 to purchasing. Neglect of surgery in national health priorities is widespread in SSA, and no report was found on national level surgical expenditures or budgetary allocations. Financial protection mechanisms are weak or non-existent; poor patients often forego care or face financial catastrophes in seeking care, even in the context of universal public financing (free care) initiatives.ConclusionFinancing of surgical and anaesthesia care in SSA is as poor as it is underinvestigated, calling for increased national prioritisation and tracking of surgical funding. Improving availability, accessibility and affordability of surgical and anaesthesia care require comprehensive and inclusive policy formulations.

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Rehabilitation and reintegration programming adjunct to female genital fistula surgery: A systematic scoping review

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics ◽

10.1002/ijgo.13039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 148 (S1) ◽

pp. 42-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alison M. El Ayadi ◽

Caitlyn E. Painter ◽

Alexandre Delamou ◽

Jill Barr‐Walker ◽

Abner Korn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Fistula Surgery ◽

Genital Fistula ◽

Female Genital

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Mask shortage during epidemics and pandemics: a scoping review of interventions to overcome limited supply

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040547 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e040547

Author(s):

Abirami Kirubarajan ◽

Shawn Khan ◽

Tiffany Got ◽

Matthew Yau ◽

Jennifer M Bryan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Literature Search ◽

Search Strategy ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Face Mask ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Published Evidence

ObjectiveTo characterise published evidence regarding preclinical and clinical interventions to overcome mask shortages during epidemics and pandemics.DesignSystematic scoping review.SettingsAll healthcare settings relevant to epidemics and pandemics.Search strategyEnglish peer-reviewed studies published from January 1995 to June 2020 were included. Literature was identified using four databases (Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library), forwards-and-backwards searching through Scopus and an extensive grey literature search. Assessment of study eligibility, data extraction and evidence appraisal were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers.ResultsOf the 11 220 database citations, a total of 47 articles were included. These studies encompassed six broad categories of conservation strategies: decontamination, reusability of disposable masks and/or extended wear, layering, reusable respirators, non-traditional replacements or modifications and stockpiled masks. Promising strategies for mask conservation in the context of pandemics and epidemics include use of stockpiled masks, extended wear of disposable masks and decontamination.ConclusionThere are promising strategies for overcoming face mask shortages during epidemics and pandemics. Further research specific to practical considerations is required before implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Intersectional stigma and its impact on HIV prevention and care among MSM and WSW in sub-Saharan African countries: a protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047280 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. e047280

Author(s):

Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari ◽

Debbie Dada ◽

Jemal Nur ◽

DeAnne Turner ◽

Amma Otchere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Countries ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Meta Analyses

IntroductionResearch has established that various forms of stigma (HIV stigma, gender non-conforming stigma and same-gender sex stigma) exist across Sub-Saharan Africa and have consequences for the utilisation of HIV prevention and care services. Stigmas are typically investigated in HIV literature individually or through investigating individual populations and the various stigmas they may face. The concept of intersectionality highlights the interconnected nature of social categorisations and their ability to create interdependent systems of discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality and so on. Drawing from perspectives on intersectionality, intersectional stigma denotes the convergence of multiple marginalised identities within an individual or a group, the experiences of stigma associated with these identities as well as the synergistic impact of these experiences on health and well-being. With respect to HIV, public health scholars can examine the impacts of intersectional stigmas on HIV prevention and care utilisation.Methods and analysisReviewers will search systematically through MEDLINE, Global Health, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and Africa Index Medicus and citations for quantitative studies, qualitative studies and grey literature that include data on stigma and HIV among men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eligible studies will include primary or secondary data on stigma related to HIV risk factors experienced by this population. Studies will be written in French or English and be published between January 1991 and November 2020. All screening and data extraction will be performed in duplicate, and if discrepancies arise, they will be settled by GM’RA, LEN, DD or AO. Findings from this study will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required as there will be no human participants and no protected data will be used in this study. We will disseminate findings through peer-reviewed manuscripts, conferences and webinars.

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Addressing barriers to the conduct and application of research in complementary and alternative medicine: a scoping review

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ◽

10.1186/s12906-021-03371-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yasamin Veziari ◽

Saravana Kumar ◽

Matthew Leach

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Educational Strategies ◽

The Cochrane Library ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Over the past few decades, the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown considerably and along with it, scrutiny regarding its evidence base. While this is to be expected, and is in line with other health disciplines, research in CAM is confronted by numerous obstacles. This scoping review aims to identify and report the strategies implemented to address barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM. Methods The scoping review was undertaken using the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, JBI and the grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened the records, following which data extraction was completed for the included studies. Descriptive synthesis was used to summarise the data. Results Of the 7945 records identified, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Using the oBSTACLES instrument as a framework, the included studies reported diverse strategies to address barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM. All included studies reported the use of educational strategies and collaborative initiatives with CAM stakeholders, including targeted funding, to address a range of barriers. Conclusions While the importance of addressing barriers to the conduct and application of research in CAM has been recognised, to date, much of the focus has been limited to initiatives originating from a handful of jurisdictions, for a small group of CAM disciplines, and addressing few barriers. Myriad barriers continue to persist, which will require concerted effort and collaboration across a range of CAM stakeholders and across multiple sectors. Further research can contribute to the evidence base on how best to address these barriers to promote the conduct and application of research in CAM.

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Regulatory frameworks for clinical trial data sharing during the Pandemic and beyond: A scoping review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.33591 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nachiket Gudi ◽

Prashanthi Kamath ◽

Trishnika Chakraborty ◽

Anil G. Jacob ◽

Shradha Parsekar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Data Sharing ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Clinical Trial Data ◽

Trial Data ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Regulatory Documents ◽

Share Data

BACKGROUND Data sharing from clinical trials is well recognized and has widely gained recognition amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The competing interests of powerful stakeholders expressed through data exclusivity practices make clinical trial data sharing a complex phenomenon. The wider acceptance of data sharing practices in the absence of mandated policy creates uncertainty among trial investigators to count for risks vs benefit from sharing trial data. Data sharing becomes further complex as the trial data sharing is governed by the regional policies. This drew our attention to explore policies for informed data sharing. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature around the regulatory documents that guide trial investigators to share clinical trial data. METHODS We followed a Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review approach and have reported the article according to the PRISMA extension for Scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). In addition to the use of the electronic databases, a targeted website search was performed to access relevant grey literature. The articles were screened at the title-abstract and the full text stages based on the selection criteria. All the included articles for data extraction were in English language. Data extraction was done independently using a pre-tested data extraction sheet. Included literature focused on clinical trial data sharing policies, guidelines, or SOPs. A narrative synthesis approach was used to summarize the findings. RESULTS This scoping review identified four articles and 13 policy documents from the grey literature. A majority of the clinical trial agencies require an agreement for data sharing between the data requestor/organization and trial agency. None of the policy documents mandates informed consent for data sharing. The time interval to share data underlying results, varies from six to 18 months from the time of trial publication. Depending upon trial data, policies follow both controlled and open access models. Regulatory documents identified in both scientific and grey literature emphasized on good research principles of protection of privacy of participant data and data anonymization through data sharing agreement between the data requester and trial agency. Need for an informed consent and cost of data sharing, timeline to share data, incentives, or reward to promote data sharing and capacity building for data sharing have remained grey areas in these policy documents. CONCLUSIONS This paper acknowledges the vital role of clinical data sharing from a public health perspective. We found that given the challenges around clinical trial data sharing, developing a feasible mechanism for data sharing is important. We suggest that standardizing data sharing processes by framing a concise policy with key elements of data sharing mechanisms could be easier to practice rather than a rigid and comprehensive data sharing policy. CLINICALTRIAL This scoping review protocol has not been registered and published.

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Type and use of digital technology in learning health systems: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026204 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. e026204

Author(s):

Lysanne Lessard ◽

Agnes Grudniewicz ◽

Antoine Sauré ◽

Agnieszka Szczotka ◽

James King ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Systems ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Technology Use ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Future Research ◽

Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionHealth systems in North America and Europe have been criticised for their lack of safety, efficiency and effectiveness despite rising healthcare costs. In response, healthcare leaders and researchers have articulated the need to transform current health systems into continuously and rapidly learning health systems (LHSs). While digital technology has been envisioned as providing the transformational power for LHSs by generating timely evidence and supporting best care practices, it remains to be ascertained if it is indeed playing this role in current LHS initiatives. This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review that aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of how and to what extent digital technology is used within LHSs. Results will help to identify gaps in the literature as a means to guide future research on this topic.Methods and analysisMultiple databases and grey literature will be searched with terms related to learning health systems. Records selection will be done in duplicate by two reviewers applying pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction from selected records will be done by two reviewers using a piloted data charting form. Results will be synthesised through a descriptive numerical summary and a mapping of digital technology use onto types of LHSs and phases of learning within LHSs.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this scoping review. Preliminary results will be shared with stakeholders to account for their perspectives when drawing conclusions. Final results will be disseminated through presentations at relevant conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

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Mapping evidence on HIV status awareness among key and vulnerable populations in sub-Sahara Africa: a scoping review protocol

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-020-01537-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Clement Avoka ◽

Patience Adzordor ◽

Vitalis Bawontuo ◽

Diana A. Akila ◽

Desmond Kuupiel

Keyword(s):

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Future Research ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Data Extraction Form ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to be a major public health issue, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Literature shows significant HIV status awareness, testing, and treatment have generally improved among the population since the inception of the UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme. Despite this, it is possible literature gaps exist that require future research to inform in-country programmes to improve the gains post-UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme. This study, therefore, aims to synthesize literature and describe the evidence on HIV status awareness among key and vulnerable populations in SSA focusing on the first UNAIDS 90 since it is essential for treatment initiation. Method This systematic scoping review will be guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and improved by Levac and colleagues. Literature searches will be conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Science Direct from 2016 to 2020. A snowball approach will also be used to search for relevant articles from the reference of all included studies. This study will include both published and grey literature, articles that include HIV key and vulnerable populations, HIV status awareness, and evidence from SSA countries. Two reviewers will independently conduct the abstract and full-text article screening as well as pilot the data extraction form. Thematic content analysis and a summary of the themes and sub-themes will be reported narratively. Discussions The evidence that will be provided by this study may be useful to inform in-country programmes to improve the gains made post-UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme from 2021 onwards. This study also anticipates identifying literature gaps to guide researchers interested in this field of study in the future. Peer review journals, policy briefs, and conference platforms will be used to disseminate this study’s findings.

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What does integrated care mean from an older person’s perspective? A scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035157 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e035157

Author(s):

Michael T. Lawless ◽

Amy Marshall ◽

Manasi Murthy Mittinty ◽

Gillian Harvey

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Integrated Care ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Coordinated Care ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Care Relationships ◽

Integrated Or

ObjectiveTo systematically map and synthesise the literature on older adults’ perceptions and experiences of integrated care.SettingVarious healthcare settings, including primary care, hospitals, allied health practices and emergency departments.ParticipantsAdults aged ≥60 years.InterventionsIntegrated (or similarly coordinated) healthcare.Primary and secondary outcome measuresUsing scoping review methodology, four electronic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses) and the grey literature (Open Grey and Google Scholar) were searched to identify studies reporting on older adults’ experiences of integrated care. Studies reporting on empirical, interpretive and critical research using any type of methodology were included. Four independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and analysis.ResultsThe initial search retrieved 436 articles, of which 30 were included in this review. Patients expressed a desire for continuity, both in terms of care relationships and management, seamless transitions between care services and/or settings, and coordinated care that delivers quick access, effective treatment, self-care support, respect for patient preferences, and involves carers and families.ConclusionsParticipants across the studies desired accessible, efficient and coordinated care that caters to their needs and preferences, while keeping in mind their rights and safety. This review highlights the salience of the relational, informational and organisational aspects of care from an older person’s perspective. Findings are transferable and could be applied in various healthcare settings to derive patient-centred success measures that reflect the aspects of integrated care that are deemed important to older adults and their supporters.

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