Community engagement interventions for communicable disease control in low- and lower- middle-income countries: evidence from a review of systematic reviews

Abstract

Background: Community engagement (CE) interventions include a range of approaches to involve communities in the improvement of their health and wellbeing. Working with communities defined by location or some other shared interest, these interventions may be important in assisting equity and reach of communicable disease control (CDC) in low and lower-middle income countries (LLMIC). We conducted an umbrella review to identify approaches to CE in communicable disease control, effectiveness of these approaches, mechanisms and factors influencing success. Methods:We included systematic reviews that: i) focussed on CE interventions; ii) involved adult community members; iii) included outcomes relevant to communicable diseases in LLMIC; iv) were written in English. Quantitative results were extracted and synthesised narratively. A qualitative synthesis process enabled identification of mechanisms of effect and influencing factors. We followed guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute, assessed quality with the DARE tool and reported according to standard systematic review methodology.(Continued on next page)

A process for developing a sustainable and scalable approach to community engagement: Community Dialogue Approach for addressing the drivers of antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh

“…First, we present the key ndings from our umbrella review, which are reported in detail elsewhere (14). Second, we present four major themes, which emerged from the qualitative study and stakeholder feedback, and which informed the adaptation of the CDA, tailored for the health system, community and cultural context of rural Bangladesh.…”

“…A recent review identi ed in uences on the effectiveness of community engagement approaches for communicable disease control. These included the application of key principles during the development of community engagement interventions, with shared leadership and tailoring being in uential in determining the effectiveness of engagement on proximal and health outcomes (14). However, a critique of community engagement is that approaches that have impacted on health outcomes are often time intensive, small-scale and require high levels of nancial and human resources.…”

Community Dialogue Approach for addressing the drivers of antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh: a mixed methods study on developing a sustainable and scalable approach to community engagement

“…First, we present the key findings from our umbrella review, which are reported in detail elsewhere (14). Second, we present four major themes, which emerged from the qualitative study and stakeholder feedback, and which informed the adaptation of the CDA, tailored for the health system, Implementation strategy: culturally sensitive mechanisms through which to embed the CDA into existing health system and community infrastructure of rural Bangladesh Analysis of the data from the qualitative study and stakeholder interactions generated four themes, each of which informed the design of the intervention.…”

“…A recent review identified influences on the effectiveness of community engagement approaches for communicable disease control. These included the application of key principles during the development of community engagement interventions, with shared leadership and tailoring being influential in determining the effectiveness of engagement on proximal and health outcomes (14).…”

Understanding Demand for, and Feasibility of, Centre-based Child-care for Poor Urban Households: A Mixed Methods Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“…For example, the limited capacity for parental engagement in shaping the day-care centre was driven by parents' limited available time. Previous studies have highlighted challenges of community engagement in urban areas and the negative impact this can have on health outcomes [39,40]. Finding ways to engage low-income parents in urban areas requires particular attention, may take time and require one-to-one as well as group meetings held outside the working day and…”