Mapping evidence on barriers to and facilitators of diagnosing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa: A scoping review protocol

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global public health challenge in all population groups, but the prevalence of major NCDs, such as depression, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity and diabetes, is increasing at a rapid rate among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Studies show that integrated NCDs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services have improved the patient outcome of PLWH with comorbidities with NCDs. It requires a strengthened and sustainable way of diagnosing major NCDs early among PLWH. However, there is limited evidence regarding the barriers to and facilitators of early diagnosis of NCDs (depression, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity and diabetes) among PLWH in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review will systematically map the literature and describe the barriers and facilitators of diagnosing NCDs (depression, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity and diabetes) among PLWH in LMICs in Africa. Methods: The methodology presented by Arksey and O’Malley and the recommendation set out by Levac and colleagues will be used. PubMed, MEDLINE with full text via the EBSCO host, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus will be used for a comprehensive search for data extraction. The search will be conducted using keywords, Boolean terms, and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). All studies with eligible titles will be exported to the EndNote citation manager for deduplication and imported to Rayyan software for screening. Two reviewers will independently screen abstracts, and the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis extension to scoping review (PRISMA-Sc) guidelines will be used to guide the search in conducting the scoping review. We will perform descriptive data analysis for quantitative studies, NVivo software version 12 will be used for qualitative studies, and thematic content analysis will be carried out. This scoping review will include studies that included PLWH with those diagnosed with major NCDs (depression, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes) in LMICs in Africa. Discussion: This scoping review will highlight evidence mapping on barriers and facilitators of diagnosing NCDs (depression, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes) among PLWH LMICs in Africa.