scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 infection in Low and Middle-Income Countries and risk classification in the context of rolling out vaccine candidate across these countries : Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s):  
Martin Ackah ◽  
Louise Ameyaw ◽  
Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo ◽  
Cynthia Osei Yeboah ◽  
Nana Esi Wood ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Seroprevalence of SARS Cov-2 provides a good indication of the extent of exposure and spread in the population, as well as those likely to benefit from a vaccine candidate. To date, there is no published or ongoing systematic review on the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This systematic review and meta-analysis will estimate SARS Cov-2 seroprevalence and the risk factors for SARS Cov-2 infection in LMICs.Methods We will search PubMed, EMBASE, WHO COVID-19 Global research database, Google Scholar, the African Journals Online, LILAC, HINARI, medRxiv, bioRxiv and Cochrane Library for potentially useful studies on seroprevalence of COVID-19 in LMICs from December 2019 to December 2020 without language restriction. Two authors will independently screen all the articles, select studies based on pre-specified eligibility criteria and extract data using a pre-tested data extraction form. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion between the authors. The pooled seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 for people from LMICs will be calculated. Random effects model will be used in case of substantial heterogeneity in the included studies, otherwise fixed-effect model will be used. A planned subgroup, sensitivity and meta-regression analyses will be performed. For comparative studies, the analyses will be performed using Review Manager v 5.4; otherwise, STATA 16 will be used. All effect estimates will be presented with their confidence intervals.Discussion The study will explore and systematically review empirical evidence on SARS Cov-2 seroprevalence in LMICs, and to assess the risk factors for SARS Cov-2 infection in Low Middle Income Countries in the context of rolling out vaccines in these countries. Finally, explore risk classifications to help with the rolling out of vaccines in LMICs.Systematic review registration: The protocol for this review has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD422020221548).

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e042788
Author(s):  
Chukwudi Arnest Nnaji ◽  
Paul Kuodi ◽  
Fiona M Walter ◽  
Jennifer Moodley

IntroductionBreast and cervical cancers pose a major public health burden globally, with disproportionately high incidence, morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The majority of women diagnosed with cancer in LMICs present with late-stage disease, the treatment of which is often costlier and less effective. While interventions to improve the timely diagnosis of these cancers are increasingly being implemented in LMICs, there is uncertainty about their role and effectiveness. The aim of this review is to systematically synthesise available evidence on the nature and effectiveness of interventions for improving timely diagnosis of breast and cervical cancers in LMICs.Methods and analysisA comprehensive search of published and relevant grey literature will be conducted. The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Evidence will be synthesised in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Two reviewers will independently screen the search outputs, select studies using predefined inclusion criteria and assess each included study for risk of bias. If sufficient data are available and studies are comparable in terms of interventions and outcomes, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Where studies are not comparable and a meta-analysis is not appropriate, a narrative synthesis of findings will be reported.Ethics and disseminationAs this will be a systematic review of publicly available data, with no primary data collection, it will not require ethical approval. Findings will be disseminated widely through a peer-reviewed publication and forums such as conferences, workshops and community engagement sessions. This review will provide a user-friendly evidence summary for informing further efforts at developing and implementing interventions for addressing delays in breast and cervical cancer diagnosis in LMICs.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020177232.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244709
Author(s):  
Lucy Plumb ◽  
Emily J. Boother ◽  
Fergus J. Caskey ◽  
Manish D. Sinha ◽  
Yoav Ben-Shlomo

Background When detected early, inexpensive measures can slow chronic kidney disease progression to kidney failure which, for children, confers significant morbidity and impacts growth and development. Our objective was to determine the incidence of late presentation of childhood chronic kidney disease and its associated risk factors. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CINAHL, grey literature and registry websites for observational data describing children <21 years presenting to nephrology services, with reference to late presentation (or synonyms thereof). Independent second review of eligibility, data extraction, and risk of bias was undertaken. Meta-analysis was used to generate pooled proportions for late presentation by definition and investigate risk factors. Meta-regression was undertaken to explore heterogeneity. Results Forty-five sources containing data from 30 countries were included, comprising 19,339 children. Most studies (37, n = 15,772) described children first presenting in kidney failure as a proportion of the chronic kidney disease population (mean proportion 0.43, 95% CI 0.34–0.54). Using this definition, the median incidence was 2.1 (IQR 0.9–3.9) per million age-related population. Risk associations included non-congenital disease and older age. Studies of hospitalised patients, or from low- or middle-income countries, that had older study populations than high-income countries, had higher proportions of late presentation. Conclusions Late presentation is a global problem among children with chronic kidney disease, with higher proportions seen in studies of hospitalised children or from low/middle-income countries. Children presenting late are older and more likely to have non-congenital kidney disease than timely presenting children. A consensus definition is important to further our understanding and local populations should identify modifiable barriers beyond age and disease to improve access to care.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naureen Ali ◽  
Anam Feroz

Abstract Background: Cotton workers are exposed to various hazards in the textile industry that might result in different ailments including hypertension (HTN). However, few attempts have been made to systematically review the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factor among cotton textile workers in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). The objective of this study will be to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among adult cotton textile workers in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: We designed and registered a study protocol for a systematic review of descriptive epidemiology data. We will include observational studies (e.g. cross-sectional, cohort, surveys) on the epidemiology of hypertension among adult cotton textile workers in low- and middle-income countries. The primary outcome will be the prevalence of hypertension. Secondary outcomes will be the prevalence of risk factors of hypertension. Literature searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases (from January 2000 onwards), including PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library. Grey literature will be identified through searching conference abstracts, thesis dissertations and public repositories. Two investigators will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will conduct random effects meta-analysis. Additional analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity (e.g. age, gender, years of service, textile department). Discussion: This review will highlight the proportion of hypertension along with its risk factor among cotton textile workers in LMICs. Given that, some of the factors can be prevented in this high-risk population, we will call on health, experts to prioritize policies and commission and conduct programs to support the improvement in their health. This systematic review will identify, evaluate and integrate evidence on the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among adult cotton textile workers in low- and middle-income countries. Our findings will be made publicly available in a repository and published in a peer-reviewed journalSystematic Review Registration: The present protocol has been registered within the PROSPERO database (registration ID: CRD42020167175)


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