Identifying high priority review questions for Africa: Cochrane Africa’s scoping process

Session: 

Oral session: Priority setting (2)

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 16:00 to 16:20

Location: 

Carrick 3

All authors in correct order:

Hohlfeld A1, Effa E2, Schoonees A3, Oduwole O4, Karumbi J5, Durão S1, Vouking M6, Ongolo-Zogo P7, Mbuagbaw L8, Wiysonge C9, Meremikwu M10, Young T11, Kredo T1
1 South African Medical Research Council, Cochrane South Africa, South Africa
2 Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases Research & Prevention University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
3 Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
4 University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar UCTH, Nigeria
5 Ministry of Health, Kenya, Kenya
6 Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health – Yaoundé Central Hospital & University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon
7 , Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health – Yaoundé Central Hospital & University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon
8 McMaster University, Hamilton McMaster, Canada and Cameroon
9 South African Medical Research Council, Cochrane South Africa, Cameroon and South Africa
10 Paediatrics & Clinical Epidemiology Chief Consultant Paediatrician, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
11 Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, South Africa
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Ameer Hohlfeld

Contact person:

Ameer Hohlfeld
Tamara Kredo
Solange Durao
Abstract text
Background: The Cochrane Africa Network (CAN) aims to conduct relevant reviews informing healthcare decisions in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2017 the Network’s Hubs engaged evidence users to conduct priority setting. From the topics identified, we scoped the literature identifying gaps for new review topics.
Objectives: To describe CAN Hubs' methods for identifying gaps in the evidence base for new reviews addressing priorities in Africa.

Methods: Priority setting involving stakeholders from Anglophone West Africa countries identified 24 questions covering communicable, and maternal-child health diseases. The West Africa Hub searched CENTRAL, PubMed, and clinical trial registries (October 2017). Two researchers independently screened, selected studies for inclusion and conducted data extraction. A senior researcher resolved discrepancies and checked data quality.

Priority setting for kidney disease involved stakeholder workshops in Kenya. After generating the topic list, the Southern- Eastern Hub approached two regional content experts who clarified the PICOs and generated a shortlist of eight questions. They conducted searches of the Cochrane Library and PubMed (October 2017), then screened titles and abstracts to identify relevant systematic reviews. The Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Review Group (CRG) was consulted throughout the process.

Results: West Africa Hub’s search retrieved 3608 studies (24 systematic reviews and 43 randomised controlled trials). From 25 topics prioritised by stakeholders, 24 relevant systematic reviews found were shared with them. One priority review title was registered with Cochrane Neonatal Group. Southern-Eastern Africa Hub found 11 relevant systematic reviews, three were Cochrane Reviews. Available evidence was communicated back to the Kenyan stakeholders. The three questions for which no relevant reviews exist were discussed with the CRG, they identified one new Cochrane Review question.

Conclusions: Many systematic reviews already exist, thus priority setting and scoping for evidence gaps is necessary to identify gaps in new reviews addressing regional priorities. Through this process, CAN identified gaps in literature for new Cochrane Reviews addressing Africa's needs.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Consumers and community-based organisations were vital stakeholders addressing gaps in research.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

The scoping process conducted by Cochrane Africa included engagement with multidisciplinary panels involving health professionals, policymakers, consumers, community-based organisations. The involvement of the two latter groups ensured that the focus of the priority topics identified by the panels addressed the needs pertinent to the patients. Consumers and community-based organisations are vital stakeholders to include to address gaps in research.