OBJECTIVES: In an era of evidence based medicine and systematic review, this study seeks to identify priority systematic review topics that address common health problems in Nigeria. METHODS: Firstly, a primary list of health problems was compiled from the National Health Management Information Systems and information from key informants (health professionals, researchers and NGOs) drawn from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. Key steps included compilation and ranking of a comprehensive list of health problems into 4 categories: adult communicable, non-communicable, maternal and child health; searching the Cochrane Library and electronic databases for systematic reviews on identified priority problems, analysis of search outputs to identify gaps; listing and ranking of new priority systematic review topics using pre-determined criteria. RESULTS: Eighteen questions made the final list of priorities systematic reviews and 9 of them were related to malaria. There were 7 additional issues that the panelists identified as crucial cross-cutting issues that need to be addressed in systematic reviews. CONCLUSION: Identification and prioritization of systematic reviews relevant to health care in Nigeria will improve the opportunity to deliver evidence-based and equitable health care to the people. These topics are likely to be also important for health care decision in other resource-poor settings.
OBJECTIVES: In an era of evidence based medicine and systematic review, this study seeks to identify priority systematic review topics that address common health problems in Nigeria. METHODS: Firstly, a primary list of health problems was compiled from the National Health Management Information Systems and information from key informants (health professionals, researchers and NGOs) drawn from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. Key steps included compilation and ranking of a comprehensive list of health problems into 4 categories: adult communicable, non-communicable, maternal and child health; searching the Cochrane Library and electronic databases for systematic reviews on identified priority problems, analysis of search outputs to identify gaps; listing and ranking of new priority systematic review topics using pre-determined criteria. RESULTS: Eighteen questions made the final list of priorities systematic reviews and 9 of them were related to malaria. There were 7 additional issues that the panelists identified as crucial cross-cutting issues that need to be addressed in systematic reviews. CONCLUSION: Identification and prioritization of systematic reviews relevant to health care in Nigeria will improve the opportunity to deliver evidence-based and equitable health care to the people. These topics are likely to be also important for health care decision in other resource-poor settings.
Authors: Emmanuel E Effa; Olabisi Oduwole; Anel Schoonees; Ameer Hohlfeld; Solange Durao; Tamara Kredo; Lawrence Mbuagbaw; Martin Meremikwu; Pierre Ongolo-Zogo; Charles Wiysonge; Taryn Young Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2019-07-26