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Community-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review

Polidano, Kay, Wenning, Brianne, Ruiz-Cadavid, Alejandra, Dawaishan, Baheya, Panchal, Jay, Gunasekara, Sonali, Abebe, Haftom, Morais, Marciglei, Price, Helen, Dikomitis, Lisa and others. (2022) Community-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review. Social Sciences, 11 (10). Article Number 490. ISSN 2076-0760. (doi:10.3390/socsci11100490) (KAR id:97883)

Abstract

We reviewed the evidence on community-based interventions for the prevention and control of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Community initiatives tailored towards awareness and mobilisation are regarded as a priority area in the Neglected Tropical Disease Roadmap 2021–2030 by the World Health Organization. We searched nine electronic databases for intervention-based studies. Two independent reviewers screened and assessed the articles for methodological quality using predefined criteria. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model, along with narrative synthesis. Thirteen articles were eligible for inclusion, of which 12 were quantitative studies (quasi-experimental with control group and pre-post interventions) and one qualitative study. All articles reported on health education interventions aimed at changing people’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in relation to CL. Participant groups included students, mothers, housewives, volunteer health workers, and residents in general. An increased score was recorded for all outcomes across all interventions: knowledge (SMD: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.47), attitudes (SMD: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.56, 2.15), and practices (SMD: 1.73, 95% CI: 0.99, 2.47). Whilst our findings show that educational interventions improved people’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices about CL, we argue that this approach is not sufficient for the prevention and control of this disease. Knowledge does not always translate into action, particularly where other structural barriers exist. Therefore, we recommend the design of more innovative community-based interventions with a broader focus (e.g., stigma, financial barriers, and healthcare access).

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3390/socsci11100490
Additional information: For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence (where permitted by UKRI, an Open Government Licence or CC BY ND public copyright licence may be used instead) to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising
Uncontrolled keywords: Article, interventions, community, neglected tropical diseases, cutaneous leishmaniasis
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Kent and Medway Medical School
Funders: National Institute for Health Research (https://ror.org/0187kwz08)
Depositing User: Brianne Wenning
Date Deposited: 09 Nov 2022 14:37 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 13:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/97883 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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