Effective components of exercise and physical activity-related behaviour-change interventions for chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa: protocol for a systematic mixed studies review with meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for a high burden of mortality and morbidity in Africa. Evidence-based clinical guidelines recommend exercise training and promotion of physical activity behaviour changes to control NCDs. Developing such interventions in Africa requires an understanding of the essential components that make them effective in this context. This is a protocol for a systematic mixed studies review that aims to determine the effective components of exercise and physical activity-related behaviour-change interventions for chronic diseases in Africa, by combining quantitative and qualitative research evidence from studies published until July 2015.


METHODS
We will conduct a detailed search to identify all published and unpublished studies that assessed the effects of exercise and physical activity-related interventions or the experiences/perspectives of patients to these interventions for NCDs from bibliographic databases and the grey literature. Bibliographic databases include MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science. We will include the following African regional databases: African Index Medicus (AIM) and AFROLIB, which is the WHO's regional office database for Africa. The databases will be searched from inception until 18 July 2015. Appraisal of study quality will be performed after results synthesis. Data synthesis will be performed independently for quantitative and qualitative data using a mixed methods sequential explanatory synthesis for systematic mixed studies reviews. Meta-analysis will be conducted for the quantitative studies, and thematic synthesis for qualitative studies and qualitative results from the non-controlled observational studies. The primary outcome will include exercise adherence and physical activity behaviour changes. This review protocol is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines.


BACKGROUND
There is no ethical requirement for this study, as it utilises published data. This review is expected to inform the development of exercise and physical activity-related behaviour-change interventions in Africa, and will be presented at conferences, and published in peer reviewed journals and a PhD thesis at King's College London.
This study was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 22 January 2015 (registration number: PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015016084).
Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, London, UK Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria (Enugu Campus), Enugu, Nigeria.
Chinonso N
CN
Igwesi-Chidobe
Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, London, UK Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Emma L
EL
Godfrey
Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Andre P
AP
Kengne
D000349:Africa; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D011634:Public Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
PAIN MANAGEMENT; PUBLIC HEALTH