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Objective The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize and present the best available evidence on community perceptions and practices relating to trachoma in Africa. Introduction Globally, trachoma is the leading cause of blindness and is responsible for about 1.4% of all cases of blindness. The African continent is the worst affected, with about 1.9 million cases of trichiasis (61%). While interventions are currently being implemented to combat the disease in Africa, very little is known by decision makers about community perceptions and practices relating to trachoma, which may hinder successful implementation. Inclusion criteria Studies with participants, regardless of their health status, gender, religion and ethnicity, aged 14 and over conducted in any African country, will be considered. Studies on Africans, conducted out of the continent and those involving healthcare professionals, will not be included in this review. Methods Qualitative studies, published in English from 1996 onwards. will be considered. Databases to be searched will include, but not be limited to: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and PsycINFO. Study selection, critical appraisal and data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers, using the appropriate JBI methodology and any disagreement will be resolved by discussion or with a third reviewer. Qualitative findings will be synthesized using the appropriate JBI methodology, following the meta-aggregation approach. Where textual pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in narrative form. The ConQual approach will be used to grade synthesized findings, and these will be presented in a Summary of Findings.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a global public health problem affecting people of all ages, sex, races, nations and social class. The majority of the 50 million people with epilepsy live in developing countries, with a prevalence rate of five to 10 people per 1000. The disease poses an enormous psychological, social and economic burden on patients. An estimated 90% of people with epilepsy in developing countries do not receive treatment due to sociocultural, economic and political factors. Current treatment interventions are limited to the clinical management of the disease and are largely driven by the healthcare provider's perspective, ignoring the experiences of people living with epilepsy (PLWE). Objective: The aim of this review was to identify, critically appraise, extract, synthesize and present the best and most current available evidence on the experiences of PLWE in developing countries. Review questions: • What are the experiences of PLWE regarding the causes of their condition? • What are the experiences of PLWE regarding treatment of epilepsy? • How has epilepsy shaped the social relationships of the affected persons? Inclusion criteria: Types of participants People living with epilepsy in developing countries (Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America). Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The experiences of PLWE in developing countries with particular attention on the causes, treatment and its impact on their social relationships. Types of studies Primary research studies with a qualitative design not limited to phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, ethnomethodology, phenomenography, critical theory, interpretative or feminist analysis, case study, narrative studies and action research. Context: Qualitative studies conducted in hospitals and community settings in developing countries. Search strategy: A three-step search strategy was used to identify published and unpublished studies in the English language from the 1990s to the present. Methodological quality: Identified studies that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and critically appraised by two independent reviewers prior to their inclusion using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI). Data extraction: Data were extracted from included papers using the recommended data extraction form embedded in the JBI-QARI. Data synthesis: Findings, where possible, were pooled using the JBI-QARI. It involved the meta-aggregation of findings to generate a set of statements that represented that aggregation, through assembling the findings rated according to their quality, and categorizing these findings on the basis of similarity in meaning. Results: From the 13 studies included in the review, 113 findings were extracted to create categories. Eight categories were created from which three synthesized findings were produced. The synthesized findings were: Synthesized finding 1: People living with epilepsy believed that the disease was caused by factors such as fever, demonic power, beatings, witchcraft, curses and God. Patients also had differing views as to whether the disease was contagious or hereditary. They indicated that the disease manifested as seizures, triggered by fever, stress, depression and anger. Synthesized finding 2: People living with epilepsy used biomedical and traditional methods to treat epilepsy and also developed strategies for coping with the disease beyond seeking treatment. Synthesized finding 3: People living with epilepsy had negative and positive experiences in their social relationships. The negative experiences were linked to the social, psychological and economic burden of the disease on patients, whereas the social support they got from friends, peers, family and community members were the positive aspects. Conclusion: People living with epilepsy attribute the cause of the disease to agents like fever, demonic power and witchcraft. Patients use biomedical and traditional methods to treat the disease and have also developed various coping strategies (like prayers and concealment) alongside treatment. Epilepsy has negative effects on the social relationships of patients and is a social, psychological and economic burden for patients. However, there are some positive effects like the social support they receive from family members, friends and the community. © 2016 by Lippincott williams & Wilkins, Inc. Language: en

What are the experiences of women living with infertility in Africa?

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the perceptions of blood donation among people living in Africa.

Review Question What are the experiences of women and young girls (adolescents) who suffer from OF in developing countries? Specific Review Questions 1. What are the experiences of women and young girls regarding interventions for OF? 2. What are the experience of women and young girls regarding social relationships? Criteria for considering studies for this review Types of participants /populations This review will consider studies with focus on the social, cultural and consequences on women and young adolescents of child bearing age suffering from OF. Consideration will also be given to studies from developing countries such as Latin America, Asia and Africa. Phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that focus on the experiences of women and young adolescent girls who suffer with OF. The experiences may consider but are not limited to support, management, surgical intervention and social relationships. Anticipated outcomes The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive synthesis of the experiences of women and young girls who have both been victims of and/or are living with OF. This review will aim to identify themes / categories that relate to the perspectives of women and adolescents girls.