scholarly journals Mapping evidence on ovarian, endometrial, vaginal, and vulva cancer research in Africa: a scoping review protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Yidana Ninimiya ◽  
Monica Ansu-Mensah ◽  
Vitalis Bawontuo ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Policy Decisions ◽  
Gynecological Cancers ◽  
African Countries

Abstract Background Globally, cancer is generally recognized as a developmental threat yet most countries in Africa lack capacity to diagnose cancer especially gynecological cancers resulting in late detection and poor outcomes. However, most studies on gynecological cancers in Africa tend to focus on cervical cancer compared to the other gynecological cancers. Therefore, this scoping review will aim to describe the existing literature on the epidemiological burden of ovarian, endometrial, vaginal, and vulva cancers, their risk factors, and potential screening methods/techniques in Africa to identify priority research gaps for further research to inform health policy decisions. Methods The framework promulgated by Arksey and O’Malley and improved by Levac et al. will be used as a guide for this scoping review. A comprehensive search for relevant published studies in PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect with no date limitation to the last search date. The database search strategy will include keywords, Boolean operators, and medical subject heading terms. We will additionally consult the WHO/IARC website, IHME/Global Burden of Disease Study. A snowball approach will also be used to search the reference list of all included studies to obtain relevant papers for possible inclusion in this review. We will include articles that involve African countries, focused on ovarian, endometrial, vaginal, and vulva cancers, their risk factors, and potential screening methods/techniques in any language. We will exclude studies on cervical cancer and other cancers as well as review articles. The abstracts and full-text selection will be conducted by two independent reviewers using this review’s eligibility criteria as a guide. All the review selection tools, and the data extraction form will be pilot tested for accuracy and consistency. The data will be organized into thematic areas, summarized and the results communicated narratively. Discussion It is anticipated that this review will reveal important literature gaps to guide future research to inform health policy decisions about ovarian, endometrial, and rare gynecological neoplasms in Africa. This review’s findings will be disseminated via peer review journals, conferences, and other social media such Twitter and LinkedIn.

scholarly journals Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Females in the Military: A Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Barbeau ◽  
Alan Michaud ◽  
Candyce Hamel ◽  
Danielle Rice ◽  
Becky Skidmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Stress Fractures ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Military Members ◽  
The Military

ABSTRACT Introduction Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKi) are a common challenge for those in military careers. Compared to their male peers, reports indicate that female military members and recruits are at greater risk of suffering MSKi during training and deployment. The objectives of this study were to identify the types and causes of MSKi among female military personnel and to explore the various risk factors associated with MSKi. Materials and Methods A scoping review was conducted over a 4-month time frame of English language, peer-reviewed studies published from 1946 to 2019. Search strategies for major biomedical databases (e.g., MEDLINE; Embase Classic + Embase; and the following EBM Reviews—Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Health Technology Assessment, and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database) were developed by a senior medical information specialist and included 2,891 titles/abstracts. Study selection and data collection were designed according to the Population, Concept, and Context framework. Studies were included if the study population provided stratified data for females in a military context. Results From a total of 2,287 citations captured from the literature searches, 168 peer-reviewed publications (144 unique studies) were eligible for inclusion. Studies were identified from across 10 countries and published between 1977 and 2019. Study designs were primarily prospective and retrospective cohorts. Most studies assessed both prevalence/incidence and risk factors for MSKi (62.50%), with few studies assessing cause (13.69%). For MSKi of female recruits compared to active female members, the prevalence was higher (19.7%-58.3% vs. 5.5%-56.6%), but the incidence (0.02%-57.7% vs. 13.5%-71.9%) was lower. The incidence of stress fractures was found to be much higher in female recruits than in active members (1.6%-23.9% vs. 2.7%). For anthropometric risk factors, increased body fat was a predictor of MSKi, but not stress fractures. For physiological risk factors for both female military groups, being less physically fit, later menarche, and having no/irregular menses were predictors of MSKi and stress fractures. For biomechanical risk factors, among female recruits, longer tibial length and femoral neck diameter increased the risk of stress fractures, and low foot arch increased risk of an ankle sprain. For female active military members, differences in shoulder rotation and bone strength were associated with risk of MSKi. For biological sex, being female compared to male was associated with an increased risk of MSKi, stress fractures, and general injuries. The consequences of experiencing MSKi for active military included limited duties, time off, and discharge. For recruits, these included missed training days, limited duty days, and release. Conclusions This scoping review provides insight into the current state of the evidence regarding the types and causes of MSKi, as well as the factors that influence MSKi among females in the military. Future research endeavors should focus on randomized controlled trials examining training paradigms to see if women are more susceptible. The data presented in the scoping review could potentially be used to develop training strategies to mitigate some of the identified barriers that negatively impact women from pursuing careers in the military.

scholarly journals What Are the Client, Organisational and Employee-Related Outcomes of High Quality Leadership in the Allied Health Professions? A scoping review.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice McKeever ◽  
Ted Brown
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reference List ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Consumer Expectation ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Modern Health Care

Background: Leadership is viewed as the panacea the complex problems in modern health care where chronic disease, contracting budgets and rising consumer expectation are challenging care provision. As the second largest workforce in Australia, Allied Health Professionals (AHP) are core contributors to health teams however they are largely absent from leadership positions and there is little evidence of their impact on client outcomes. Aim: A scoping review was carried out to synthesise evidence on the client, organisational and employee-related outcomes of high quality leadership in Allied Health. Method: A search of grey literature, peer and non-peer reviewed literature was undertaken using Embase, Emcare, SCOPUS and Psychinfo from 2010-2017. Data were sourced from journals, government reports, conference presentations and other grey literature. The reference list of key articles were hand searched for relevant research. Results: A total of 5880 articles were identified and after screening 35 articles were included for in depth review. Leadership contributed towards positive outcomes in all three domains and had influence across professional groups and services. Leaders are highly valued and respected by their teams. Allied Health leaders did not feature in any of the articles and AHP were the focus of only seven studies. The majority of articles were conference papers or case reviews that provided little robust data making it difficult to draw substantive conclusions on the outcome of AHP leadership. Conclusion: There was a lack of robust data specific to AHP leaders. Future research should attempt to gather evidence of the outcomes of AHP leadership through qualitative and quantitative means to substantiate the anecdotal evidence for high quality AHP leaders. 

scholarly journals Mapping evidence on access to healthcare information by women of reproductive age in low-and-middle-income countries: scoping review protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce T. Shatilwe ◽  
Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Access To Healthcare ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Healthcare Information

Abstract Background Research shows that there are inadequate interventions in resource-limited settings that could enable women of reproductive age to access and use health services in those settings. The main objective of this scoping review is to map the evidence on access to healthcare information by women of reproductive age in LMICs. Method and analysis The primary search will include Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, EBSCOhost (Academic search complete, CINAHL with full text, MEDLINE with full text, MEDLINE), Emerald, Embase, CDSR, PsycINFO, published and peer review journals, organisational projects, conference papers, reference list, grey literature sources, as well as reports related to this objective will be included in the study. Identified keywords will be used to search articles from the studies. The articles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers (JS and TPMT). Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be considered to guide the screening. A thematic content analysis will be used to present the narrative account of the reviews, using NVivo computer software (version 11). Discussions The scoping review will focus on women of reproductive age in LMICs. We anticipate finding relevant literature on the interventions aimed at accessing health care services in LMICs. The study findings will help reveal research gaps to guide future research. Scoping review registration Not registered with PROSPERO (not needed). Protocol and registration This scoping review was not registered.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Screening Practices of Breast and Cervical Cancer in Rural and Urban South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 46s-46s
Author(s):  
A. LaVigne ◽  
S. Grover ◽  
S. Rayne
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
African Women ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Breast And Cervical Cancer ◽  
South African Women

Background: The South African government has recently released cancer policies for breast and cervical cancer—the most common types and causes of cancer-related death in South African women. Increased mortality rates and advanced disease at presentation in comparison with developed countries suggests a need for greater awareness of risk factors, screening and preventative methods individualized for the population at risk. Aim: To characterize and compare the knowledge base and perceptions of women in urban and rural settings, we assessed these factors in two different cohorts in South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional sample was taken in South Africa of women invited to participate in a survey regarding breast and cervical cancer knowledge, and awareness of risk factors, prevention and screening. Participants were approached in shopping malls and health facilities in urban Johannesburg in 2015 (“urban”) and semirural Bushbuckridge, 450 km northeast of Johannesburg (“rural”) in 2016. Results: 600 total women were surveyed, with 300 from each cohort. 83% of the urban cohort completed matriculation or higher, versus 60% of rural participants for whom high school was their highest level of education. Both groups demonstrated comparable levels of cancer awareness, and > 70% felt that cervical cancer is preventable. While the urban cohort was more knowledgeable about Pap smears (76% vs. 66%, P = 0.004), > 75% of both cohorts were willing to get one. Although both groups were largely unfamiliar with the role of HPV in cervical cancer, rural women were more aware of HIV (38% vs. 59%, P < 0.0001), smoking (43% vs. 62%, P < 0.0001) and parity (39% vs. 54%, P = 0.00019) as risk factors. Nevertheless, urban participants were more knowledgeable about breast self exams (71% vs. 59%, P = 0.001) and mammograms (62% vs. 42%, P < 0.0001), and more likely to undergo one (79% vs. 66%, P = 0.0002). Both groups identified family history and genetics as risk factors, but rural women appeared more aware of the roles of diet (30.67% vs. 39.93%, P = .011), oral contraceptives (17.33% vs. 34.77%, P < .0001), alcohol (26.67% vs. 52.15%, P < .0001) and lack of exercise (8.67% vs. 55.12%, P < .0001). Conclusion: Overall knowledge of breast and cervical cancer did not differ between both groups, despite varying levels of education and geographic setting. Women in the rural cohort demonstrated more awareness of several oncologic risk factors. Yet, the greater familiarity with and uptake of screening methods, especially for breast cancer, among women in the urban cohort may point to the benefits of proximity to health care infrastructure, such as tertiary care centers. This data supports a need for further implementation and distribution of cancer care services within cancer policies, to capitalize on increasingly sufficient levels of awareness among South African women.

scholarly journals Supervised exercise delivered via telehealth in real time to manage chronic conditions in adults: a protocol for a scoping review to inform future research in stroke survivors

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e027416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R Ramage ◽  
Natalie A Fini ◽  
Elizabeth A Lynch ◽  
Amanda Patterson ◽  
Catherine M Said ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Stroke Risk Factors ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Scoping Reviews

IntroductionIncreasing physical activity reduces secondary stroke risk factors, but many stroke survivors have low levels of physical activity. Supervised exercise delivered via telehealth has the potential to overcome barriers to increased physical activity in stroke survivors. Our scoping review will examine the emerging field of supervised exercise delivered via telehealth to map the available evidence in relation to its efficacy, acceptability, safety and feasibility in chronic conditions to inform future research into its ability to increase physical activity.Methods and analysisThe methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley will be applied to our scoping review. A systematic search of Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, Pedro and Embase; hand searching of pertinent studies’ reference lists; and consultation with experts in the field will identify relevant papers. Studies involving participants with a chronic condition who undertake supervised exercise delivered by a health professional via telehealth targeted at improving secondary stroke risk factors or involving lower limb weight-bearing exercise will be included. Study selection and critical appraisal of individual studies will be carried out independently by two authors with discrepancies resolved by a third author. Quantitative and qualitative data will be charted using a standardised form. Results will be tabulated and narratively summarised to highlight findings relevant to the review’s research questions and to inform recommendations for future research.Ethics and disseminationOur review will significantly contribute to the knowledge base of exercise and rehabilitation delivered via telehealth and its application in chronic conditions, including stroke. Findings will be relevant to researchers, healthcare workers and policy-makers and will be disseminated through publication and presentations. Only secondary deidentified data will be included, therefore ethics approval will not be sought. This protocol is not registered as PROSPERO currently excludes scoping reviews.

scholarly journals Cervical Cancer: Machine Learning Techniques for Detection, Risk Factors and Prevention Measures

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-163
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Hpv Infection ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Learning Techniques

Cervical Cancer is considered the fourth most common female malignancy worldwide and represents a major global health challenge. As a result, in recent years, various proposals and researches have been conducted. This study aims to analyze the data presented in current researches regarding cervical cancer and contribute to future research, all through the framework of literature review, based on 3 research questions: Q1: What are the risk factors that cause cervical cancer? Q2: What preventive measures are currently established for cervical cancer? and, Q3: What are the techniques to detect cervical cancer? Findings show that detection techniques are complementary since they are categorized under machine learning. Therefore, we recommend that further study be promoted in these techniques as they are helpful in the detection process. In addition, risk factors can be considered for a greater scope in detection, such as HPV infection, since it is the most relevant factor for the development of cervical cancer. Finally, we suggest to conduct further research on preventive measures for cervical cancer.

scholarly journals A Systematic Scoping Review of New Attention Problems Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Stojanovski ◽  
Shannon E. Scratch ◽  
Benjamin T. Dunkley ◽  
Russell Schachar ◽  
Anne L. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Adhd Diagnosis ◽  
Wide Range

Objective: To summarize existing knowledge about the characteristics of attention problems secondary to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) of all severities in children.Methods: Computerized databases PubMed and PsychINFO and gray literature sources were used to identify relevant studies. Search terms were selected to identify original research examining new ADHD diagnosis or attention problems after TBI in children. Studies were included if they investigated any severity of TBI, assessed attention or ADHD after brain injury, investigated children as a primary or sub-analysis, and controlled for or excluded participants with preinjury ADHD or attention problems.Results: Thirty-nine studies were included in the review. Studies examined the prevalence of and risk factors for new attention problems and ADHD following TBI in children as well as behavioral and neuropsychological factors associated with these attention problems. Studies report a wide range of prevalence rates of new ADHD diagnosis or attention problems after TBI. Evidence indicates that more severe injury, injury in early childhood, or preinjury adaptive functioning problems, increases the risk for new ADHD and attention problems after TBI and both sexes appear to be equally vulnerable. Further, literature suggests that cases of new ADHD often co-occurs with neuropsychiatric impairment in other domains. Identified gaps in our understanding of new attention problems and ADHD include if mild TBI, the most common type of injury, increases risk and what brain abnormalities are associated with the emergence of these problems.Conclusion: This scoping review describes existing studies of new attention problems and ADHD following TBI in children and highlights important risk factors and comorbidities. Important future research directions are identified that will inform the extent of this outcome across TBI severities, its neural basis and points of intervention to minimize its impact.

scholarly journals Protocol for a scoping review on rehabilitation among individuals who experience homelessness and traumatic brain injury

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e052942
Author(s):  
Vincy Chan ◽  
Maria Jennifer Estrella ◽  
Jessica Babineau ◽  
Angela Colantonio
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Scientific Meetings

IntroductionRehabilitation is key to improving outcomes and quality of life after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, individuals experiencing homelessness are rarely represented in research that informs evidence-based rehabilitation guidelines even though TBI is disproportionately prevalent among this population. This protocol is for a scoping review to explore the extent to which rehabilitation, including the types of rehabilitation interventions, is available to, or used by, individuals who experience homelessness and TBI to inform (1) opportunities to integrate rehabilitation for individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI, (2) considerations for existing clinical and practice guidelines for rehabilitation and (3) recommendations for future research.Methods and analysisThe scoping review will be guided by six stages described in scoping review methodology frameworks. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase and Embase Classic, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Clinical Trials, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, and Nursing and Allied Health), reference list of included articles and scoping or systematic reviews identified from the search and grey literature, defined as reports from relevant brain injury, housing and rehabilitation organisations, will be searched. Two reviewers will independently screen all articles based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A descriptive numerical summary of data items will be provided and qualitative content analytic techniques will be used to identify and report common themes. Preliminary findings will be shared with stakeholders to seek feedback on the implications of the results.Ethics and disseminationEthics review will not be required, as only publicly available data will be analysed. Findings from the scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific meetings and to stakeholders, defined as service providers in the housing and TBI sectors; health professionals who provide care for individuals with TBI and/or homelessness; health administrators, decision-makers and policy-makers; researchers; and caregivers or family members of individuals with lived experience of TBI and homelessness.

scholarly journals Nodding Syndrome: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Gasim Omer Elkhalifa Abd-Elfarag ◽  
Arthur Wouter Dante Edridge ◽  
René Spijker ◽  
Mohamed Boy Sebit ◽  
Michaël B. van Hensbroek
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Severe Condition ◽  
Nodding Syndrome ◽  
Sub Saharan

Nodding syndrome (NS) is a debilitating yet often neglected neurological disease affecting thousands of children in several sub-Saharan African countries. The cause of NS remains unknown, and effective treatment options are lacking. Moreover, knowledge regarding NS is scarce and is based on a limited number of publications, with no comprehensive overview published to date. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to summarise the current evidence and identify existing knowledge gaps in order to help clinicians, scientists, and policymakers develop guidelines for prioritising this severe condition. We searched the Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, and Global Health Library databases in accordance with the PRISMA extension for scoping review guidance and in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and methodology for a scoping review, using keywords describing NS. We then extracted and presented the original data regarding the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of NS, as well as community perceptions and the psychosocial and economic impact of NS. Out of 1470 identified articles, a total of 69 were included in this scoping review. Major gaps exist in understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis of NS. Future research is urgently needed not only to address these gaps, but also to study the treatment options, epidemiology, and psychosocial and economic impacts of NS. Innovative interventions and rehabilitation programmes designed to address the psychosocial and economic burdens associated with NS are also urgently needed.

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