The Impact of Infectious Disease-Related Public Health Emergencies on Suicide, Suicidal Behavior, and Suicidal Thoughts:A Systematic Review

Background: Infectious disease-related public health emergencies (epidemics) may increase suicide risk, and high-quality evidence is needed to guide an international response. Aims: We investigated the potential impacts of epidemics on suicide-related outcomes. Method: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsyArXiv, medRxiv, and bioRxiv from inception to May 13–16, 2020. Inclusion criteria: primary studies, reviews, and meta-analyses; reporting the impact of epidemics; with a primary outcome of suicide, suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, and/or self-harm. Exclusion criteria: not concerned with suicide-related outcomes; not suitable for data extraction. PROSPERO registration: #CRD42020187013. Results: Eight primary papers were included, examining the effects of five epidemics on suicide-related outcomes. There was evidence of increased suicide rates among older adults during SARS and in the year following the epidemic (possibly motivated by social disconnectedness, fears of virus infection, and concern about burdening others) and associations between SARS/Ebola exposure and increased suicide attempts. A preprint study reported associations between COVID-19 distress and past-month suicidal ideation. Limitations: Few studies have investigated the topic; these are of relatively low methodological quality. Conclusion: Findings support an association between previous epidemics and increased risk of suicide-related outcomes. Research is needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on suicide outcomes

The Experiences and Challenges of Community Health Volunteers as Agents for Behaviour Change programming in Sub-Sahara Africa: A scoping review protocol

Updating contributors. Original registration can be found here https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-ydvbu-v

The Experiences and Challenges of Community Health Volunteers as Agents for Behaviour Change programming in Sub-Sahara Africa: A scoping review protocol

Abstract Background Community health volunteers are considered a vital part of the community health structure in Africa. Despite this vital role in the health system, very little is known about the community health volunteers day-to-day lived experiences providing services in communities and supporting other health workers. Objective This scoping review aims to better understand the experiences and challenges of community health volunteers in Africa. Drawing on the community health volunteers’ accounts of their experiences reported in the literature, this review aims to identify critical factors that could, if filled, advance understanding of this under-considered group crucial to healthcare delivery, reduce attrition of, and improve sustainability of community health volunteers in Africa. Methods This scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist to achieve the objectives. A comprehensive search of six databases returned 2140 studies. After screening, 31 studies were selected for final review and extraction. Using an inductive approach, analytical themes were generated based on the reviewers’ interpretative construct of the descriptive themes. Results Findings highlight the challenges and difficulties community health volunteers often deal with while providing services. Critical themes generated in this review indicate that a lack of standardization of the role and remuneration of community health volunteers within health systems, balancing work responsibilities with family obligations and financial and logistical issues are common challenges that affect community health volunteers’ experiences. Additionally, the review found that community health volunteers will also face stigma and harassment from other health workers and communities. However, there seem to be potential gendered benefits and risks in the role of female community health workers. Conclusions This scoping review highlights the scope of challenges community health volunteers must navigate to provide services in communities. Sustained commitment at the national and international level to understand the lived experiences of community health volunteers would improve their performance and inform future programs