The value of educational messages embedded in a community-based approach to combat dengue fever: A systematic review and meta regression analysis

Nada Al-Muhandis, Paul R. Hunter

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48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The effects of various dengue control measures have been investigated in previous studies. The aim of this review was to investigate the relative effectiveness (RE) of different educational messages embedded in a community-based approach on the incidence of Aedes aegypti larvae using entomological measures as outcomes.
Methods and Findings: A systematic electronic search using Medline, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was carried out to March 2010. Previous systematic reviews were also assessed. Data concerning interventions, outcomes, effect size and study design were extracted. Basic meta-analyses were done for pooled effect size, heterogeneity and publication bias using Comprehensive Meta-analysis. Further analysis of heterogeneitity was done by multi-level modelling using MLwiN. 21 publications with 22 separate studies were included in this review. Meta-analysis of these 22 pooled studies showed an RE of 0.25 (95% CI 0.17–0.37), but with substantial heterogeneity (Cochran's Q = 1254, df = 21, p =
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere1278
JournalPLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume5
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Aug 2011

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