Mapping Research Evidence on Children With Atopic Dermatitis and Quality of Life in Sub-saharan Africa: a Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting children worldwide. Several studies have explored the disease causes a significant problem leading to a diminished quality of life, for the affected children but systematic evaluation of such studies in Africa is yet to be reported. Therefore, this scoping review aims to map research evidence on children with AD and their quality of life (QoL) in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: The scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Mally methodological framework. The electronic databases to be searched will include: PubMed, EBSCOhost (Academic search complete, CINAHL PsycINFO, and Health Sources), Scopus, and Google Scholar for published literature between 2000 and 2021. Only literature written in English will be included. The search strategy for the databases will include keywords, Medical Subject Headings terms and Boolean operators. The reference list of the included sources of evidence, and the WHO website will also be consulted for evidence relating to QoL of children with AD in Sab-Saharan Africa (SSA). Following title searching, two independent reviewers will conduct screening of abstracts and full text articles. Eligibility criteria will guide the screenings. This review will include studies conducted in SSA, publication focusing on quality of life and associated factors of AD in children. Data will be extracted from the included studies, analyzed qualitatively; NVIVO software V.11 will be usedand the emerging themes reported narratively. The mixed-method appraisal tool (MMAT) will be employed for quality appraisal of included studies.Discussion: We look forward to findings of several studies that describe the QoL and associated factors among children with AD and that report on using different diagnostic criteria, severity scaling and QoL measuring scale tools used to ascertain the presence of AD, scale severity of AD and impact of AD on quality of life among children. The study findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal, peer presentations, and presentations at relevant conferences.