Tuberculin skin tests following Bacille Calmette Guerin vaccination in Africa: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Tuberculin reactivity following tuberculin skin test which is the most common measure of the effect of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination has remained complex. This protocol is aimed to assess the effect of BCG vaccine on tuberculin skin test in Africa as a guide to better understanding or resolving this complexity. A search strategy is developed using MeSH, key words, text words, and entry terms. Five databases will be searched, including PubMed, African Journals Online (AJOL), Google Scholar, Research Gate, and Cochrane Library. Only observational studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa and retrievable in English language will be included. The primary measurable outcome of this study is pooled prevalence of positive tuberculin skin tests. Secondary outcomes are factors that influence Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) positivity such as BCG type, the dose of BCG, age at BCG vaccinates, time/interval between BCG vaccination and TST, and type of tuberculin unit used for TST. Identified studies will be screened and selected based on inclusion criteria. Data will be extracted into Zotero, Microsoft Excel and CMA software. Both quality scores and the risk of bias for individual studies will be reported. Studies will be assessed for methodological, clinical, and statistical heterogeneity. Funnel Plots will be used for assessing publication bias. The results will be presented in tabular format in addition to a narrative synthesis. The pooled prevalence of effect of BCG vaccine on TST in Africa will be examined in relation to factors that influence TST positivity.

Developing a psychoeducational programme for caregivers of people with intellectual disability

“…The findings of this study align with the research conducted by Ezeonu et al (2021), which emphasises that most caregivers lack an understanding of the causes of ID. Understanding the dichotomy of control 21 89…”

“…As a result, caregivers tend to attribute distinct reasons to ID, such as viewing it as a punishment from God, superstition and bewitchment, or perceiving it as a spiritual attack or demon possession (Ezeonu et al 2021;Mkabile et al 2021).…”

“…Caregivers need to have a clear understanding of ID as it directly contributes to their ability to effectively cope with the challenges associated with caring for individuals with ID (Ezeonu et al 2021). In a study conducted by Simpson et al (2022), it was noticed that caregivers expressed an ardent desire for knowledge and training in this area.…”

“…Furthermore, the study reveals that informal caregivers, often mothers, are predominantly responsible for the care of individuals with ID (Ezeonu et al 2021;Mak & Cheung 2008;McKenzie 2016). Consequently, most caregivers are women, particularly those who are single, divorced or widowed (Ezeonu 2021;Lafferty et al 2016;McKenzie 2016). These caregivers, mostly unpaid, assume their duties without any financial compensation.…”

“…Extensive research has demonstrated the demanding and burdensome nature of caring for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) (Ezeonu et al 2021;McConnell & Savage 2015;Panicker & Ramesh 2019;Steiner 2011;Ugwuanyi et al 2022). In the Western Cape region, the responsibility of caring for 98% of individuals with ID falls upon their caregivers, who often remain as unacknowledged brave individuals within the ID community (Kench 2016;McKenzie, McConkey & Adnams 2016).…”