A systematic review of global health capacity building initiatives in low-to middle-income countries in the Middle East and North Africa region

Hady Naal; Maria El Koussa; Melissa El Hamouch; Layal Hneiny; Shadi Saleh

doi:10.1186/s12992-020-00585-0

Globalization and Health (Jul 2020)

A systematic review of global health capacity building initiatives in low-to middle-income countries in the Middle East and North Africa region

Hady Naal,
Maria El Koussa,
Melissa El Hamouch,
Layal Hneiny,
Shadi Saleh

Affiliations

Hady Naal: Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut
Maria El Koussa: Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut
Melissa El Hamouch: Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut
Layal Hneiny: Saab Medical Library at the American University of Beirut
Shadi Saleh: Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-00585-0
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Introduction Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are facing increasing global health challenges with a reduced ability to manage them. Global Health Capacity Building (GHCB) initiatives have the potential to improve health workforce performance and health outcomes, however little is known about the GHCB topics and approaches implemented in this region. This is the first systematic review of GHCB initiatives among LMICs in the MENA region. Methods An academic database search of Medline (OVID), PubMed, Scopus, Embase.com , and Open Grey was conducted for articles published between January 2009 and September 2019 in English. Next, a grey literature search following a recommended search framework was conducted. Reviewed records addressed a global health topic, had a capacity building component, looked at specific learning outcomes, and reflected an LMIC in the MENA. Primary outcomes included country, topic, modality, pedagogy, and population. Results Reports of GHCB initiatives were retrieved from grey sources (73.2%) and academic sources (26.8%). Most GHCB initiatives were mainly conducted face-to-face (94.4%) to professional personnel (57.5%) through a theoretical pedagogical approach (44.3%). Dominant global health themes were non-communicable diseases (29.2%), sexual and reproductive health (18.4%), and mental health (14.5%). When matched against the Global Burden of Disease data, important gaps were found regarding the topics of GHCB initiatives in relation to the region’s health needs. There were limited reports of GHCB initiatives addressing conflict and emergency topics, and those addressing non-communicable disease topics were primarily reported from Egypt and Iran. Conclusion Innovative and practicum-based approaches are needed for GHCB initiatives among LMICs in the MENA region, with a focus on training community workers. Regional and country-specific analyses of GHCB initiatives relative to their health needs are discussed in the manuscript based on the results of this review.

Published in Globalization and Health

ISSN: 1744-8603 (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral.com

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