scholarly journals Effective school-based preventive interventions for alcohol use in Africa: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1397-1406
Author(s):  
Sachi Tomokawa ◽  
Kimihiro Miyake ◽  
Takeshi Akiyama ◽  
Yuka Makino ◽  
Akihiro Nishio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Preventive Interventions ◽  
Effective School ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Based Interventions

Background: Despite recognition of the risks of alcohol use and importance of prevention from an early age, the effectiveness of school-based interventions in Africa has not been clarified. Objective: We aimed to identify effective school-based alcohol use prevention interventions in Africa. Methods: We searched eight databases for peer-reviewed articles published until February 3, 2019 that reported on randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, pre-post quasi-experimental stud- ies, cohort studies, and case-control studies. The full-texts of relevant studies were searched. Results: Four of 2797 papers met our eligibility criteria. All reported interventions targeted secondary school students in South Africa and were incorporated in the school curriculum. The interventions comprised multi-component activities with participatory and peer educational methods, and applied modified programs originally developed in the US. However, inter- vention effects were inconsistent among studies, although the interventions tended to have a positive effect on non-drinkers at baseline, with stronger effects in girls. Conclusion: Interventions had positive effects on students that were non-drinkers at baseline, especially girls. Although we could not find robust evidence that school-based interventions changed attitudes, frequency/quantity of drinking, and intentions to use alcohol, one intervention showed an increase in students’ alcohol refusal self-efficacy. Keywords: School-based preventive interventions; alcohol use; Africa; systematic review.

School-Based Interventions Targeting Double Burden of Malnutrition and Educational Outcomes of Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Protocol for a Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin Shinde ◽  
Dongqing Wang ◽  
Wafaie W Fawzi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Based Interventions

Abstract BackgroundAdolescence is a period of rapid physical growth and transition between childhood to adulthood. However, in many developing countries, nutritional and epidemiological transitions are contributing to surging overnutrition, which, together with prevalent undernutrition, is resulting in the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among adolescents. Schools as social systems have tremendous but mostly underutilized capacity to facilitate change and address a range of nutritional and associated educational concerns of adolescents and young people. The main objective of this systematic review will be to synthesize the evidence on school-based nutrition interventions that aimed to address the DBM, and the associated educational outcomes among adolescents from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsComprehensive literature searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases, including the Medline (through PubMed), Embase, CENTRAL (through Cochrane Library), CINAHL, and Google Scholar. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled before-after studies, and non-randomized controlled trials examining the effects of nutrition interventions on DBM and educational outcomes among adolescents (10−19−years−old) in LMICs. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations and full-text articles and abstract data. The quality of the included studies will be assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing the risk of bias for RCTs and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool for controlled before-after studies and non-randomized controlled trials. DiscussionTo maximize the power of schools as a platform to reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between adolescent nutrition and education, it is imperative to develop and implement integrated interventions connecting schools, adolescents, parents, communities, and the health care system. The results of this systematic review will provide a comprehensive state of current knowledge on the effectiveness of school-based interventions to enable future research that maximizes the impact and efficiency of integrated approaches to tackle multiple forms of malnutrition among school-going and out-of-school adolescents.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO ID: 211109 (under review)

Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Harms in Low and Middle Income Countries: a Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Brief Motivational Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BackgroundHarmful alcohol use leads to a large burden of disease and disability which disportionately impacts LMICs. The World Health Organization and the Lancet have issued calls for this burden to be addressed, but issues remain, primarily due to gaps in information. While a variety of interventions have been shown to be effective at reducing alcohol use in HICs, their efficacy in LMICs have yet to be assessed. This systematic review describes the current published literature on alcohol interventions in LMICs and conducts a meta analysis of clinical trials evaluating interventions to reduce alcohol use and harms in LMICs.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA guidelines we searched the electronic databases Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus,Web of Science, Cochrane, and Psych Info. Articles were eligible if they evaluated an intervention targeting alcohol-related harm in LMICs. After a reference and citation analysis, we conducted a quality assessment per PRISMA protocol. A meta-analysis was performed on the 39 randomized controlled trials that evaluated an alcohol-related outcome.ResultsOf the 3,801 articles from the literature search, 87 articles from 25 LMICs fit the eligibility and inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 39 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Nine of these studies focused specifically on medication, while the others focused on brief motivational intervention, brain stimulation, AUDIT-based brief interventions, WHO ASSIST-based interventions, group based education, basic screening and interventions, brief psychological or counseling, dyadic relapse prevention, group counseling, CBT, motivational + PTSD based interview, and health promotion/awareness. Conclusion Issues in determining feasible options specific to LMICs arise from unstandardized interventions, unequal geographic distribution of intervention implementation, and uncertain effectiveness over time. Current research shows that brain stimulation, psychotherapy, and brief motivational interviews have the potential to be effective in LMIC settings, but further feasibility testing and efforts to standardize results are necessary to accurately assess their effectiveness.

Effectiveness of Combined Cognitive and Physical Interventions to Enhance Functioning in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. e633-e642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenchen Yang ◽  
Ami Moore ◽  
Elias Mpofu ◽  
Diana Dorstyn ◽  
Qiwei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background and Objectives Cognitive training delivered in conjunction with physical activity, may help to optimize aging and delay or prevent dementia in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, their efficacy is less well studied compared to pharmaceutical treatments. This systematic review synthesizes the emerging evidence on combined cognitive-physical interventions for enhancing functioning in older adults with MCI, with implications for practice and research. Research Design and Methods We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO, Ageline, Medline, Web of Science and ProQuest databases, and hand-searched articles published between July 2013 and November 2018. Only randomized controlled trials which incorporated cognitive and physical components targeted to individuals with MCI over the age of 50 were eligible. Our search yielded 10 eligible, independent articles. Results Intervention participants with MCI self-reported, or demonstrated, improved functioning across a range of cognitive (global cognitive function, executive function, processing speed, memory, attention, mood, emotion, motivation, brain cortex, orientation), and physical (gait, balance, mobility) outcomes. Interventions which combined cognitive-physical training were comparable to those which isolated these same elements, in terms of their effects on executive function, processing speed, attention, mood, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Discussion and Implications There is preliminary evidence to support the positive effects of multicomponent interventions to improve cognitive-motor abilities in older adults at risk of developing dementia. The strength of this research evidence is, however, limited. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these effects are maintained over time. The optimal intervention intensity and length also need to be established.

A Systematic Review of Exercise Interventions in Patients With Heart Failure

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Kuei Tai ◽  
Janet C. Meininger ◽  
Lorraine Q. Frazier
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled

The incidence of heart failure (HF) is increasing as the population ages. Pharmacotherapy is an important component of treatment and yields significant improvements in survival and quality of life. In recent decades, exercise has gradually become accepted as an intervention beneficial to patients with HF, but more information is needed to clarify the effects of exercise and optimize interventions. Therefore, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published from 1966 to October 2006 was carried out via PubMed. About 69 trials were reviewed, which used as main outcome measures: (a) central hemodynamic parameters, (b) peripheral blood flow, (c) endothelial function, (d) activation of neurohormones and cytokine systems, (e) structure of and metabolism in skeletal muscles, and/or (f) quality of life. Study findings suggest that the favorable physiological responses to exercise might slow some of the pathophysiological progression of HF. However, most of the trials reviewed here were based on relatively small samples and selected participant groups, and the exercise programs varied widely. These limitations and inconsistencies need to be addressed through further studies. Furthermore, reliable strategies for maintaining the positive effects of exercise and extending them to patients' daily life and quality of life are scarce in these trials. These domains need further exploration through rationally designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials.

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