Geostatistical mapping to delineate areas of soil-transmitted helminthiasis persistence in Cameroon: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) remain the most common parasites of the gastrointestinal tract in Cameroon. However, despite all efforts put in place for their control, their prevalence remains unexpectedly high in some parts of the country. This systematic review aims to identify and delineate areas of high transmission (hotspots) of STH in Cameroon. The goal is to consolidate existing data on STH epidemiology and control in Cameroon in order to develop optimal control strategies to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of elimination as public health problem by 2030 as defined in the new NTD roadmap. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase, African Journals Online, Africa Index Medicus, Global Index Medicus, Web of Knowledge and ISI web of science will be searched to identify articles, regardless of the language of publication. The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), Embase Thesaurus (Emtree) and text words will be used for the search strategy. Unpublished and published data and resources (reports, datasets) will be requested by contacting authors and stakeholders involved in research and control of STH in Cameroon, especially the National Program for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis (PNLSHI), the Neglected Tropical Diseases Coordination Unit of the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health, and the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) of the WHO/AFRO. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression will be used to identify covariates influencing the estimates with the aim of identifying models that best predict the variability of effect sizes. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression asymmetry test. Discussion This study will provide policy makers and the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) community, especially the National Control Program (PNLSHI), with up-to-date consolidated data on STH trends, prevalence and intensity, and the impact of the control strategies over time, and help to guide the paradigm shift from elimination of STH as a public health concern to transmission interruption. Systematic review registration: This protocol will be registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).