Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol

Abstract Background Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in the world and is increasing in prevalence, particularly in Africa and other low-income countries. The disproportionately high numbers of premature deaths and severe or uncontrolled cases in many African countries...

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Main Authors: Vuyelwa Ndlovu, Moses John Chimbari, Elopy Sibanda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-10-01
Series:Systematic Reviews
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-020-01491-7
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author Vuyelwa Ndlovu
Moses John Chimbari
Elopy Sibanda
author_facet Vuyelwa Ndlovu
Moses John Chimbari
Elopy Sibanda
author_sort Vuyelwa Ndlovu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in the world and is increasing in prevalence, particularly in Africa and other low-income countries. The disproportionately high numbers of premature deaths and severe or uncontrolled cases in many African countries are indicative of their inability to cope with a costly disease like asthma. Progress has, however, been made in understanding the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease. The objective of this study will be to summarise the epidemiological literature on the nature of asthma in African countries. Methods We registered a study protocol for a scoping review. The review was designed following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, African Journals Online (AJOL) and relevant grey literature (e.g. Google Scholar, EBSCOhost) from January 1990 onwards. Only primary epidemiological studies of asthma (e.g. frequency, disease mechanisms, associated risk factors and comorbidities) written in English and conducted in Africa will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Findings will be reported using narrative synthesis and tabulation of the summaries. Discussion This scoping review will capture the state of the current epidemiological literature on asthma in African countries. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. We anticipate this review will identify gaps and make recommendations for future areas of study. Scoping review registration Open Science Framework http://osf.io/n2p87/
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spelling doaj.art-8aea805e4b36493b98e89dcc2693f19b2022-12-21T20:20:08ZengBMCSystematic Reviews2046-40532020-10-01911710.1186/s13643-020-01491-7Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocolVuyelwa Ndlovu0Moses John Chimbari1Elopy Sibanda2School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-NatalAsthma, Allergy and Immune Dysfunction Clinic, Twin Palms Medical CentreAbstract Background Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in the world and is increasing in prevalence, particularly in Africa and other low-income countries. The disproportionately high numbers of premature deaths and severe or uncontrolled cases in many African countries are indicative of their inability to cope with a costly disease like asthma. Progress has, however, been made in understanding the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease. The objective of this study will be to summarise the epidemiological literature on the nature of asthma in African countries. Methods We registered a study protocol for a scoping review. The review was designed following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, African Journals Online (AJOL) and relevant grey literature (e.g. Google Scholar, EBSCOhost) from January 1990 onwards. Only primary epidemiological studies of asthma (e.g. frequency, disease mechanisms, associated risk factors and comorbidities) written in English and conducted in Africa will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Findings will be reported using narrative synthesis and tabulation of the summaries. Discussion This scoping review will capture the state of the current epidemiological literature on asthma in African countries. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. We anticipate this review will identify gaps and make recommendations for future areas of study. Scoping review registration Open Science Framework http://osf.io/n2p87/http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-020-01491-7AsthmaAfricaEpidemiologyEnvironmental exposureScoping review
spellingShingle Vuyelwa Ndlovu
Moses John Chimbari
Elopy Sibanda
Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol
Systematic Reviews
Asthma
Africa
Epidemiology
Environmental exposure
Scoping review
title Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol
title_full Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol
title_fullStr Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol
title_short Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol
title_sort assessing the nature of asthma in african epidemiological studies a scoping review protocol
topic Asthma
Africa
Epidemiology
Environmental exposure
Scoping review
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-020-01491-7
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