Strengthening literature search strategies for systematic reviews reporting population health in the Middle East and North Africa: A meta-research study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), data are produced in languages other than English and available through gray literature sources. We assessed the comprehensiveness of literature search strategies of systematic reviews (SRs) reporting population health primary data on MENA.

Methods

Utilizing the registered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42017076736), we conducted a meta-research analysis on a cohort of SRs (systematic PubMed search: from 2008 to 2016) and evaluated their search strategies following AMSTAR recommendations.

Results

A total of 379 SRs were included. Few SRs (10.3%, n = 39) conducted a comprehensive literature search including at least two databases, reference lists of included primary studies, gray literature sources, and no language restricti

SUBMITTER: Chaabna K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7497175 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature