Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map
Objective To support evidence-informed decision-making, we created an evidence gap map to characterise the evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions in improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods We developed an intervention–o...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/11/e058258.full |
| _version_ | 1811230741777874944 |
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| author | Shradha S Parsekar Monica Jain Mark Engelbert Avantika Bagai |
| author_facet | Shradha S Parsekar Monica Jain Mark Engelbert Avantika Bagai |
| author_sort | Shradha S Parsekar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective To support evidence-informed decision-making, we created an evidence gap map to characterise the evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions in improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods We developed an intervention–outcome matrix with 38 interventions and 43 outcomes. We searched academic databases and grey literature sources for relevant impact evaluations (IEs) and systematic reviews (SRs). Search results were screened on title/abstract. Those included on title/abstract were retrieved for full review. Studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included and data were extracted for each included study. All screening and data extraction was done by two independent reviewers. We analysed these data to identify trends in the geographic distribution of evidence, the concentration of evidence across intervention and outcome categories, and attention to vulnerable populations in the literature.Results We identified 309 studies, comprising 226 completed IEs, 58 completed SRs, 24 ongoing IEs and 1 ongoing SR. Evidence from IEs is heavily concentrated in a handful of countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Among interventions, the most frequently evaluated are those related to education and material incentives for caregivers or health workers. There are gaps in the study of non-material incentives and outreach to vulnerable populations. Among outcomes, those related to vaccine coverage and health are well covered. However, evidence on intermediate outcomes related to health system capacity or barriers faced by caregivers is much more limited.Conclusions There is valuable evidence available to decision-makers for use in identifying and deploying effective strategies to increase routine immunisation in LMICs. However, additional research is needed to address gaps in the evidence base. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:33:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d709ee769b804179970db4fa92037d9f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:33:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-d709ee769b804179970db4fa92037d9f2022-12-22T03:36:48ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552022-11-01121110.1136/bmjopen-2021-058258Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap mapShradha S Parsekar0Monica Jain1Mark Engelbert2Avantika Bagai3Public Health Evidence South Asia, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, IndiaInternational Initiative for Impact Evaluation, New Delhi, IndiaInternational Initiative for Impact Evaluation, London, UKDevelopment Solutions, New Delhi, IndiaObjective To support evidence-informed decision-making, we created an evidence gap map to characterise the evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions in improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods We developed an intervention–outcome matrix with 38 interventions and 43 outcomes. We searched academic databases and grey literature sources for relevant impact evaluations (IEs) and systematic reviews (SRs). Search results were screened on title/abstract. Those included on title/abstract were retrieved for full review. Studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included and data were extracted for each included study. All screening and data extraction was done by two independent reviewers. We analysed these data to identify trends in the geographic distribution of evidence, the concentration of evidence across intervention and outcome categories, and attention to vulnerable populations in the literature.Results We identified 309 studies, comprising 226 completed IEs, 58 completed SRs, 24 ongoing IEs and 1 ongoing SR. Evidence from IEs is heavily concentrated in a handful of countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Among interventions, the most frequently evaluated are those related to education and material incentives for caregivers or health workers. There are gaps in the study of non-material incentives and outreach to vulnerable populations. Among outcomes, those related to vaccine coverage and health are well covered. However, evidence on intermediate outcomes related to health system capacity or barriers faced by caregivers is much more limited.Conclusions There is valuable evidence available to decision-makers for use in identifying and deploying effective strategies to increase routine immunisation in LMICs. However, additional research is needed to address gaps in the evidence base.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/11/e058258.full |
| spellingShingle | Shradha S Parsekar Monica Jain Mark Engelbert Avantika Bagai Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map BMJ Open |
| title | Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map |
| title_full | Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map |
| title_fullStr | Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map |
| title_short | Improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries: an evidence gap map |
| title_sort | improving routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low income and middle income countries an evidence gap map |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/11/e058258.full |
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