Caregivers' and healthcare workers' experiences in the management of childhood pneumonia in low- and lower middle-income countries: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to explore the experiences of caregivers and healthcare workers regarding the management of pneumonia in children younger than five years in low-and lower middle-income countries.

Introduction: Pneumonia is a major cause of mortality among children younger than five years. A large percentage of these deaths occur in low-and lower-middle income countries. These deaths can be averted if the disease is recognized early and prompt medical care is sought. The ability of caregivers to detect early symptoms of pneumonia and seek prompt medical care is critical. The ability of healthcare workers to correctly diagnose and initiate early and effective treatment is also key to preventing pneumonia-related deaths.

Inclusion criteria: This systematic review will consider qualitative studies that explored the experiences of caregivers and healthcare workers regarding the management of pneumonia in children younger than five years in low- and lower middle-income countries. The term "caregivers" primarily refers to family members, whereas the term "healthcare workers" can include nurses, doctors, community and lay healthcare workers. Only studies published in English will be included, with no date restrictions.

Methods: The systematic review will use the JBI systematic review approach for qualitative studies, with meta-aggregation as the method of synthesis. The search for published studies will be undertaken in PubMed, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL. Gray literature will also be considered. Critical appraisal and data extraction will be conducted using the appropriate JBI tools. Following synthesis, recommendations for clinical practice and areas for future research will be identified.