Family systems care approaches and methodologies for maternal, newborn and child health in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol.

Abstract

Introduction: Providing family-centred maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services along a care continuum could significantly improve outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In LIMCs, family systems care (FSC) is currently not well integrated into the continuum of care from hospital, community, to the home levels.

Objective: This scoping review aims to explore the approaches, methodologies and tools used to translate family systems care programmes/interventions in the continuum of care for MNCH in different care settings in LMICs.

Eligibility criteria: This scoping review will include evidence of approaches, methodologies and tools used to translate FSC into the care continuum for MNCH in LMICs. It will also include evidence reporting on contextual determinants, such as mitigating and limiting factors. Evidence not in English, outside the MNCH scope or using a person- rather than family-centred approach will be excluded.

Methods: Following the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review checklist, the following stages will involve two or more researchers: (1) literature search, (2) data extraction, (3) analysis and (4) narrative summary. Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science and grey literature via organisational homepages will be searched. Published English work without limitation on publication year is eligible. Data extraction and analysis will be guided by a template comprising approaches, methodologies and tools to translate FSC into the care continuum. Data will be presented in tabular form with an accompanying narrative summary.

Systematic review registration: The protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/zwg9k ).