Are Social Inequities the Reason for the Increase in Chronic Non Communicable Diseases? A Systematic Review

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a prevalent communicable disease in low- and middle-income countries, where non-communicable diseases like skin cancer are on the rise. However, the study of multi-morbidity or co-morbidity between communicable and non-communicable diseases is limited, and even null for some tropical or neglected diseases. Nevertheless, looking at these conditions together instead of as isolated entities in places where these illnesses exist, could show new prevention and treatment paths. We aimed to summarize and critically appraise the epidemiological evidence on the association between cutaneous leishmaniasis and skin cancer. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review using five search engines (Embase, Medline, Global Health, Scopus and Web of Science). We sought observational studies in which the outcome was skin cancer whilst the exposure was cutaneous leishmaniasis; these conditions should have had laboratory or pathology confirmation. Results: No epidemiological investigations have studied the association between cutaneous leishmaniasis and skin cancer. Most of the evidence about the association of interest is still based on case reports and other clinical observations rather than strong epidemiological observational studies. Conclusions: Research is much needed to verify the repeatedly clinical observation that cutaneous leishmaniasis may be a risk factor for skin cancer. This evidence could inform and guide early diagnosis or prevention of skin cancer in survivors of cutaneous leishmaniasis or where cutaneous leishmaniasis is still highly prevalent. Registration: PROSPERO ID CRD42018111230; registered on 16/10/18.

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Correction: The economic impact of non-communicable diseases among households in South Asia and their coping strategy: A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0211588 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. e0211588

Author(s):

Anupa Rijal ◽

Tara Ballav Adhikari ◽

Jahangir A. M. Khan ◽

Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

South Asia ◽

Economic Impact ◽

Coping Strategy ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

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Protocol for a systematic review of reviews evaluating effectiveness of mass media interventions for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032611 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. e032611

Author(s):

Gursimer Jeet ◽

J S Thakur ◽

Shankar Prinja ◽

Meenu Singh ◽

Ria Nangia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Mass Media ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Controlled Vocabulary ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Low Middle Income Countries ◽

Media Interventions

IntroductionTimely interventions are required in order to change unhealthy lifestyles because if continued for a prolonged period of time, these become risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Education through mass media is an important factor in bringing out the behavioural change which may get missed in community-based interventions due to their limited reach. Many countries engage in mass media interventions, however, the nature of interventions and their effectiveness differs. We, therefore, describe the protocol of a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of the mass media interventions to reduce the risk of NCDs in the general population and compare the differences in effectiveness estimates across low/middle-income countries and developed countries.Methods and analysisWe will search The Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database limited to publications since 2000 to October 2019. Specific terms for the search strategy will be piloted as database-controlled vocabulary in the databases searched. The searches will include variations of the following terms: mass media, mass communication, campaign, publicity and terms for types of media, that is, print media, mobile, digital media, social media and broadcast. Study designs to be included will be systematic reviews followed by grey literature and other good quality reviews identified. The primary outcome of effectiveness will be the percentage change in population having different behavioural risk factors. In addition, mean overall change in levels of several physical or biochemical parameters will be studied as secondary outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe review is being done under the doctoral research which has been approved by the Institute Ethics Committee of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Dissemination will be done by submitting scientific articles to academic peer-reviewed journals. We will present the results at relevant conferences and meetings.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016048013

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