scholarly journals How can community engagement in health research be strengthened for infectious disease outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping review of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Vanderslott ◽  
Manya Van Ryneveld ◽  
Mark Marchant ◽  
Shelley Lees ◽  
Sylvie Kwedi Nolna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Core Material

Abstract Background Community engagement (CE) is a well-established practical and scholarly field, recognised as core to the science and ethics of health research, for which researchers and practitioners have increasingly asked questions about desired standards and evaluation. In infectious disease outbreak contexts, questions may be more complex. However, it is unclear what body of knowledge has been developed for CE specifically as it applies to emerging infectious diseases. This scoping review seeks to describe (1) How CE has been conceptualised and understood; and (2) What conclusions have research teams reached on the effectiveness of CE in these settings, including challenges and facilitators. Methods We used a scoping review framework by Arksey and O’Malley (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8:19–32, 2005) to structure our review. We conducted a brainstorming session and initial trial search to inform the protocol, search terms, and strategy. Three researchers discussed, developed and applied agreed screening tools and selection criteria to the final search results. Five researchers used the screening tools to screen abstracts and full text for inclusion by consensus. Additional publications were sought from references of retrieved publications and an expert call for literature. We analysed and reported emerging themes qualitatively. Results We included 59 papers from a total of 722 articles derived from our trial and final literature searches, as well as a process of “citation chasing” and an expert call for grey literature. The core material related exclusively to health research trials during the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak. We synthesized reports on components of effectiveness of CE to identify and propose three themes as essential elements of effective CE. Conclusions While there is a large volume of literature documenting CE activities in infectious disease research settings generally, there are few accounts of effectiveness dimensions of CE. Our review proposes three themes to facilitate the effectiveness of CE initiatives as essential elements of CE activities in infectious diseases studies: (1) Communication towards building collaborative relationships; (2) Producing contextual knowledge; and (3) Learning lessons over time. As there were relatively few in-depth accounts of CE from our literature review, documentation and accounts of CE used in health research should be prioritised.

scholarly journals Preventing and managing antimicrobial resistance in the African region: A scoping review protocol

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254737
Author(s):  
Chinwe Juliana Iwu-Jaja ◽  
Anelisa Jaca ◽  
Ishmael Festus Jaja ◽  
Portia Jordan ◽  
Phelele Bhengu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
African Region ◽  
Care Systems

Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitutes a significant threat to global health and food security, typically associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. The high burden of infectious diseases coupled with the weak health systems in most countries of Africa magnifies the risk of increasing AMR and its consequences thereof. This scoping review will be aimed at mapping the evidence on interventions used to prevent and manage antimicrobial resistance in Africa, guided by the “One Health” concept. Methods We will consider interventions targeting multiple sectors such as health care systems, the agricultural and veterinary sectors. The outcomes to be considered include reduction of AMR decreased morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases, increased awareness for rational use of antimicrobials and reduced antibiotic consumption. We will include all types of studies regardless of study designs conducted within the context of the WHO African region. Studies will be excluded if they are not conducted in Africa and if they are literature reviews, only describing the concept of AMR without mentioning interventions. We will include studies identified through a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature databases. In addition, we will search the reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews. Finally, we plan to do a citation search for included studies. Findings of this review will be narratively synthesized.

Everyday Dangers – The Impact Infectious Disease has on the Health of Paramedics: A Scoping Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brodie Thomas ◽  
Peter O’Meara ◽  
Evelien Spelten
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mrsa Colonization

AbstractBackgroundParamedics respond to emergency scenes in often uncontrolled settings without being aware of potential risks. This makes paramedicine one of the most dangerous occupations. One of these dangers is the risk of contracting infectious diseases. Research in this area is predominantly focused on compliance in the use of protective equipment, attitudes and perceptions of paramedics, infectious disease policy, and exposure rates to blood and body fluids. The purpose of this scoping review was to determine what is known about the impact of infectious disease on the health of paramedics.MethodsUsing the Arskey and O’Malley methodological framework, a scoping review was undertaken, which allows for a broad search of the available evidence.ResultsThe literature search identified eight articles for review that reported on paramedic exposure trends; the lack of reported blood-borne infections contracted, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); instances of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infections; and the higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal infections amongst paramedics.ConclusionsExposure to infectious diseases is decreasing, yet it remains significant. The decrease is attributed to prevention strategies; however, paramedic knowledge and attitudes as well as the uncontrolled environment paramedics work in can be a barrier. Contraction of infectious diseases is generally low; exceptions to this are MRSA colonization, influenza, and SARS. Paramedics are at greater risk of acquiring these infectious diseases compared to the general public. The effect on the health of paramedics is not well reported.ThomasB,O’MearaP,SpeltenE.Everyday dangers – the impact infectious disease has on the health of paramedics: a scoping review.Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(2):217–223.

scholarly journals Interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in health research: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e017551 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Blanco ◽  
Jamie J Kirkham ◽  
Douglas G Altman ◽  
David Moher ◽  
Isabelle Boutron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Reporting Guidelines ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Improve Compliance ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Journal Policies ◽  
Research Stage

IntroductionThere is evidence that the use of some reporting guidelines, such as the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials, is associated with improved completeness of reporting in health research. However, the current levels of adherence to reporting guidelines are suboptimal. Over the last few years, several actions aiming to improve compliance with reporting guidelines have been taken and proposed. We will conduct a scoping review of interventions to improve adherence to reporting guidelines in health research that have been evaluated or suggested, in order to inform future interventions.Methods and analysisOur review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methods manual. We will search for relevant studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Moreover, we will carry out lateral searches from the reference lists of the included studies, as well as from the lists of articles citing the included ones. One reviewer will screen the full list, which will be randomly split into two halves and independently screened by the other two reviewers. Two reviewers will perform data extraction independently. Discrepancies will be solved through discussion. In addition, this search strategy will be supplemented by a grey literature search. The interventions found will be classified as assessed or suggested, as well as according to different criteria, in relation to their target (journal policies, journal editors, authors, reviewers, funders, ethical boards or others) or the research stage at which they are performed (design, conducting, reporting or peer review). Descriptive statistical analysis will be performed.Ethics and disseminationA paper summarising the findings from this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This scoping review will contribute to a better understanding and a broader perspective on how the problem of adhering better to reporting guidelines has been tackled so far. This could be a major first step towards developing future strategies to improve compliance with reporting guidelines in health research.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, perception, and preventative practices towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249853
Author(s):  
Ugochinyere Ijeoma Nwagbara ◽  
Emmanuella Chinonso Osual ◽  
Rumbidzai Chireshe ◽  
Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa ◽  
Balsam Qubais Saeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background Knowledge, attitudes, perception, and preventative practices regarding coronavirus- 2019 (COVID-19) are crucial in its prevention and control. Several studies have noted that the majority of people in sub-Saharan African are noncompliant with proposed health and safety measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and respective country health departments. In most sub-Saharan African countries, noncompliance is attributable to ignorance and misinformation, thereby raising questions about people’s knowledge, attitudes, perception, and practices towards COVID-19 in these settings. This situation is particularly of concern for governments and public health experts. Thus, this scoping review is aimed at mapping evidence on the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and preventive practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods Systematic searches of relevant articles were performed using databases such as the EBSCOhost, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, the WHO library and grey literature. Arksey and O’Malley’s framework guided the study. The risk of bias for included primary studies was assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). NVIVO version 10 was used to analyse the data and a thematic content analysis was used to present the review’s narrative account. Results A total of 3037 eligible studies were identified after the database search. Only 28 studies met the inclusion criteria after full article screening and were included for data extraction. Studies included populations from the following SSA countries: Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Sierra Leone. All the included studies showed evidence of knowledge related to COVID-19. Eleven studies showed that participants had a positive attitude towards COVID-19, and fifteen studies showed that participants had good practices towards COVID-19. Conclusions Most of the participants had adequate knowledge related to COVID-19. Despite adequate knowledge, the attitude was not always positive, thereby necessitating further education to convey the importance of forming a positive attitude and continuous preventive practice towards reducing contraction and transmission of COVID‐19.

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

BMJ Open ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Incorporating and Evaluating Citizen Engagement in Health Research: a Scoping Review Protocol

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anmol Shahid ◽  
Brianna K Rosgen ◽  
Karla K Krewulak ◽  
Diane L Lorenzetti ◽  
Nadine Foster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Citizen Engagement ◽  
The Public ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Planning Decision

Abstract Background: Citizen engagement in research is an emerging practice that involves members of the general public in research processes such as priority-setting, planning, decision-making, research conduct, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Engaging citizens in research, particularly health research, increases the relevance of study findings, minimizes waste by facilitating stewardship over resources, and builds public trust in the research. While several existing frameworks guide the application of citizen engagement principles to health research, it is unclear how citizen engagement can be utilized to maximize benefits and minimize risks and challenges in health research. To address the gaps in knowledge around citizen engagement in health research, we propose a scoping review to synthesize the state of knowledge on methods to incorporate and evaluate citizen engagement in research. A protocol is presented in this manuscript. Methods: The methodology for our scoping review is guided by Arksey and O’ Malley’s framework for scoping reviews, and additional recommendations by Levac and colleagues. We will include peer-reviewed and grey literature that report on citizen engagement in health research (including biomedical, clinical, health systems and services, and social, cultural, environmental and population health) and report method(s) to conduct, measure, or evaluate citizen engagement. We will systematically search electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, JSTOR, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Science Direct) and relevant organizations’ websites for additional studies, frameworks, and reports on citizen engagement. Title and abstract and full-text citations will be screened independently and in duplicate. Data will be extracted independently and in duplicate, including: document characteristics, citizen engagement definitions and goals, and outcomes of citizen engagement (e.g., impact, barriers, facilitators). Discussion: This review will synthesize the definitions, goals, methods, outcomes, and significance of citizen engagement in health research, as well as any potential barriers, facilitators, and challenges outlined in existing literature. The findings will provide an evidence-based foundation for developing new or improved guidance for citizen engagement in health research. Overall, we anticipate that our scoping review will be a preliminary step to meaningful engagement of citizens in research and strengthen the relationship between the scientific community and the public through transparency and collaboration.SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

scholarly journals Public health-relevant consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Katharina Heuschen ◽  
Guangyu Lu ◽  
Oliver Razum ◽  
Alhassan Abdul-Mumin ◽  
Osman Sankoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Malaria Burden ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to health systems worldwide, including the control of non-COVID-19 diseases. Malaria cases and deaths may increase due to the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic in malaria-endemic countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to summarize information on public health-relevant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria situation in SSA. Methods Review of publications and manuscripts on preprint servers, in peer-reviewed journals and in grey literature documents from 1 December, 2019 to 9 June, 2021. A structured search was conducted on different databases using predefined eligibility criteria for the selection of articles. Results A total of 51 papers have been included in the analysis. Modelling papers have predicted a significant increase in malaria cases and malaria deaths in SSA due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many papers provided potential explanations for expected COVID-19 effects on the malaria burden; these ranged from relevant diagnostical and clinical aspects to reduced access to health care services, impaired availability of curative and preventive commodities and medications, and effects on malaria prevention campaigns. Compared to previous years, fewer country reports provided data on the actual number of malaria cases and deaths in 2020, with mixed results. While highly endemic countries reported evidence of decreased malaria cases in health facilities, low endemic countries reported overall higher numbers of malaria cases and deaths in 2020. Conclusions The findings from this review provide evidence for a significant but diverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in SSA. There is the need to further investigate the public health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria burden. Protocol registered on Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/STQ9D

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

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e027991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M El Ayadi ◽  
Caitlyn E Painter ◽  
Alexandre Delamou ◽  
Jill Barr-Walker ◽  
Susan Obore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Fistula Surgery ◽  
Genital Fistula ◽  
Female Genital

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.

scholarly journals Infectious disease, development, and climate change: a scenario analysis

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 687-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD S.J. TOL ◽  
KRISTIE L. EBI ◽  
GARY W. YOHE
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Absolute Poverty ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Sub Saharan

We study the effects of development and climate change on infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. Infant mortality and infectious disease are closely related, but there are better data for the former. In an international cross-section, per capita income, literacy, and absolute poverty significantly affect infant mortality. We use scenarios of these three determinants and of climate change to project the future incidence of malaria, assuming it to change proportionally to infant mortality. Malaria deaths will first increase, because of population growth and climate change, but then fall, because of development. This pattern is robust to the choice of scenario, parameters, and starting conditions; and it holds for diarrhoea, schistosomiasis, and dengue fever as well. However, the timing and level of the mortality peak is very sensitive to assumptions. Climate change is important in the medium term, but dominated in the long term by development. As climate can only be changed with a substantial delay, development is the preferred strategy to reduce infectious diseases even if they are exacerbated by climate change. Development can, in particular, support the needed strengthening of disease control programs in the short run and thereby increase the capacity to cope with projected increases in infectious diseases over the medium to long term. This conclusion must, however, be viewed with caution, because development, even of the sort envisioned in the underlying socio-economic scenarios, is by no means certain.

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