Community-Level Experiences, Understandings, and Responses to COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Qualitative and Ethnographic Studies

(1) Background: COVID-19 disruptions offer researchers insight into how pandemics are at once biological and social threats, as communities struggle to construct meaning from novel challenges to their ontological status quo. Multiple epistemes, in which public health imperatives confront and negotiate locally derived knowledge and traditions, vie for legitimacy and agency, resulting in new cultural forms. (2) Methods: To investigate the context and construction of community responses, a systematic review of qualitative literature was conducted with the aim of evaluating those insights provided by empirical, social field research in low- and middle-income countries since the onset of COVID-19. Six scholarly databases were searched for empirical, qualitative, field-based, or participatory research that was published in peer-reviewed journals between December 2019 and August 2021. (3) Results: Twenty-five studies were selected for data extraction, following critical appraisal for methodological rigor by two independent reviewers, and were then analyzed thematically. Faced with unprecedented social ruptures, restrictions in social and physical mobility, and ever-looming uncertainties of infection, financial insecurity, stigma, and loss, communities worldwide reacted in multiple and complex ways. Pervasive misinformation and fear of social rejection resulted in noncompliance with pandemic sanctions, resistance, and increased isolation, allowing the spread of the disease. The meaning of, and understandings about, COVID-19 were constructed using traditional, religious, and biomedical epistemologies, which were occasionally in conflict with each other. Innovations and adaptations, through syntheses of traditional and biomedical discourses and practice, illustrated community resilience and provided models for successful engagement to improve public health outcomes. (4) Conclusion: Local context and community engagement were indispensable considerations when enacting effective public health interventions to meet the challenges of the pandemic.

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The effects on public health of climate change adaptation responses: a systematic review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries

Environmental Research Letters ◽

10.1088/1748-9326/ac092c ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 073001

Author(s):

Pauline F D Scheelbeek ◽

Alan D Dangour ◽

Stephanie Jarmul ◽

Grace Turner ◽

Anne J Sietsma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Methodological rigor of prognostic models for predicting in-hospital paediatric mortality in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15955.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 106

Author(s):

Morris Ogero ◽

Rachel Sarguta ◽

Lucas Malla ◽

Jalemba Aluvaala ◽

Ambrose Agweyu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

External Validation ◽

Prognostic Models ◽

Published Data ◽

Healthcare Resources ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Methodological Rigor ◽

Low And Middle Income

Introduction: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where healthcare resources are often limited, making decisions on appropriate treatment choices is critical in ensuring reduction of paediatric deaths as well as instilling proper utilisation of the already constrained healthcare resources. Well-developed and validated prognostic models can aid in early recognition of potential risks thus contributing to the reduction of mortality rates. The aim of the planned systematic review is to identify and appraise the methodological rigor of multivariable prognostic models predicting in-hospital paediatric mortality in LMIC in order to identify statistical and methodological shortcomings deserving special attention and to identify models for external validation. Methods and analysis: This protocol has followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols. A search of articles will be conducted in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and CINAHL (via EbscoHost) from inception to 2019 without any language restriction. We will also perform a search in Web of Science to identify additional reports that cite the identified studies. Data will be extracted from relevant articles in accordance with the Cochrane Prognosis Methods’ guidance; the CHecklist for critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modelling Studies. Methodological quality assessment will be performed based on prespecified domains of the Prediction study Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical permission will not be required as this study will use published data. Findings from this review will be shared through publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and, presented at conferences. It is our hope that this study will contribute to the development of robust multivariable prognostic models predicting in-hospital paediatric mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Registration: PROSPERO ID CRD42018088599; registered on 13 February 2018.

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Screening tools for early identification of children with developmental delay in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038182 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e038182

Author(s):

Tasnuva Faruk ◽

Catherine King ◽

Mohammad Muhit ◽

Md Kafiul Islam ◽

Israt Jahan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Developmental Delay ◽

Early Identification ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Culturally Sensitive ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Developmental Screening ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

ObjectiveTo systematically review, identify and report the screening tools used for early identification of developmental delay in low- and middle-income countries.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesFour bibliographic databases: Medline (1946 to 13 July 2020), Embase (1974 to 13 July 2020), Scopus (1823 to 11 July 2020) and PsycINFO (1987 to July week 1 2020).Eligibility criteriaPeer-reviewed original articles published in English addressing validated culturally sensitive developmental screening tools among children aged <5 years were included in this review.Data extraction and synthesisOne author (CK, medical librarian) developed the search strategy. Three authors conducted the database search (phase I: CK; phase II: IJ and MKI). Three authors (TF, IJ and MKI) independently screened the title and abstracts. TF, MKI and GK independently performed the full-text review of the screened articles. During each step of the study selection process, disagreements were resolved through discussion. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was used to guide the systematic review. Data extraction and analysis were performed using MS Excel. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity of the study findings.ResultsWe identified 3349 articles, of which 18 studies from 10 countries, reporting 16 screening tools, were selected for qualitative synthesis. Six cultural contexts were explored. Twelve general, two motor and two speech-language tools were identified. Seven of them found to be parent-completed ones. Five screening tools (American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, Guide for Monitoring Child Development, Infant Neurological International Battery, New Delhi-Development Screening Questionnaire and Woodside Screening Technique) reported relatively higher sensitivity (82.5%–100%) and specificity (83%–98.93%).ConclusionsLimited number of culturally sensitive developmental screening tools were validated for children aged <5 years in low- and middle-income countries. Revising existing screening tools in different ethnic and cultural settings and subsequent validation with normative value should be a research priority.

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Chronic kidney disease in Low- and Middle- Income Countries: Protocol for a systematic review of diagnostic and prognostic models

10.1101/2021.04.24.21256041 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Edson J Ascencio ◽

Diego J Aparcana-Granda ◽

Rodrigo M Carrillo-Larco

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

General Population ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Prognostic Models ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

ABSTRACTBackgroundChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition with a large disease burden globally. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) the CKD screening challenges the health system. This systematic and comprehensive search of all CKD diagnostic and prognostic models in LMIC will inform screening strategies in LMIC following a risk-based approach.ObjectiveTo summarize all multivariate diagnostic and prognostic models for CKD in adults in LMIC.MethodsSystematic review. Without date or language restrictions we will search Embase, Medline, Global Health (these three through Ovid), SCOPUS and Web of Science. We seek multivariable diagnostic or prognostic models which included a random sample of the general population. We will screen titles and abstracts; we will then study the selected reports. Both phases will be done by two reviewers independently. Data extraction will be performed by two researchers independently using a pre-specified Excel form (CHARMS model). We will evaluate the risk of bias with the PROBAST tool.ConclusionThis systematic review will provide the most comprehensive list and critical appraisal of diagnostic and prognostic models for CKD available for the general population in LMIC. This evidence could inform policies and interventions to improve CKD screening in LMIC following a risk-based approach, maximizing limited resources and reaching populations with limited access to CKD screening tests. This systematic review will also reveal methodological limitations and research needs to improve CKD diagnostic and prognostic models in LMIC.

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