You are here

Article Text

Article menu
XML
Infectious diseases
Protocol
Leishmaniasis in Cameroon: what is known and is done so far? A protocol for systematic review
  1. Linda Djune Yemeli1,2,
  2. André Domche3,4,
  3. Hugues C Nana Djeunga1,4,
  4. Cédric G Lenou Nanga5,
  5. Earnest Njih Tabah6,
  6. Georges B Nko'Ayissi7,
  7. Joseph Kamgno5,8
  1. 1Molecular Parasitology and Genetic Epidemiology, Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaounde, Cameroon
  2. 2Molecular Diagnosis Research Group, Biotechnology Centre, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  3. 3Entomology and Vector-Borne Diseases, Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaounde, Cameroon
  4. 4Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  5. 5Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaounde, Cameroon
  6. 6National Buruli Ulcer, Leprosy, Yaws and Leishmaniasis Control Program, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
  7. 7National Neglected Tropical Diseases Coordination Unit, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
  8. 8Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  1. Correspondence to Dr Hugues C Nana Djeunga; nanadjeunga{at}crfilmt.org

Abstract

Introduction The first visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were reported in Cameroon since more than six decades. However, interest in the disease has decreased over time and data on its epidemiology across the country are scanty. This systematic review aims to update data on what is known and done so far on leishmaniasis in Cameroon.

Methods and analysis PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science will be searched from inception onwards. Grey literature will be identified through Google Scholar searches, dissertation databases and other relevant documents such as report of the National Control Program. Searches will be conducted between January and February 2021. All studies reporting endemicity, distribution, infecting species, vectors and reservoirs will be eligible. The main outcomes will be epidemiological data (infection rate, distribution, infecting species, vectors and animal reservoir), while the secondary outcomes will be the cases management (diagnostic, treatment, reporting, intervention…). Two reviewers will independently screen eligible papers, and potential conflicts will be resolved by involving a third reviewer as an adjudicator. Methodological quality including bias will be appraised using a methodological quality critical appraisal checklist proposed in the Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review methods manual. A narrative synthesis will describe quality and content of the epidemiological evidence. Data on prevalence and vectors will be used to draw thematic maps of the distribution of leishmaniasis in Cameroon.

Ethics and dissemination This study will not require ethical approval as it will be based on already published or unpublished data. The final report of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and the outcomes will be used (1) as baseline information to design further studies that will help to better refine the epidemiological situation of leishmaniasis in Cameroon, and (2) to inform both programme managers and policy-makers of the situation of leishmaniasis in the country.

Systematic review registration This protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42020211864) database.

  • epidemiology
  • public health
  • tropical medicine
  • epidemiology
  • geographical mapping
  • parasitology
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047530

Statistics from Altmetric.com

    Request Permissions

    If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

    View Full Text

    Supplementary materials

    • Supplementary Data

      This web only file has been produced by the BMJ Publishing Group from an electronic file supplied by the author(s) and has not been edited for content.

    Footnotes

    • Twitter @Nana_Djeunga

    • Contributors LDY, AD, HCND, CGLN, ENT, GBN and JK contributed intellectually to the development of the present protocol. LDY, AD and HCND prepared the first draft of the manuscript. LDY, AD, HCND, CGLN, ENT, GBN and JK reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript. HCND and JK are the study guarantors.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.