Economic costs of infertility care for patients in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol.

摘要: Introduction Infertility, a condition of the reproductive system, affects millions individuals and couples worldwide. Despite infertility treatment’s existence, it is largely unavailable inaccessible in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) due to prohibitive costs compounded by an absence financing. Previous systematic reviews have shown that there scanty information LMICs on out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for treatment. This protocol outlines methodological approach analytical process appraise extent economic burden care services LMICs. Method analysis Using Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses approach, we will primarily search articles indexed PubMed, Web Science, Cumulative Index Nursing Allied Health Literature, EconLit PsycINFO databases. Grey literature from relevant organisations’ virtual libraries shall also be searched. Backward forward searches selected done. Quantitative studies treatment across world regions within last 20 years considered. The primary outcome interest include OOP payments, catastrophic health expenditure direct services. Conversely, informal indirect related treatments considered as secondary outcomes. Integrated quality Criteria Review Of Multiple Study designs used assess included review. Meta-analysis if sufficient identified are homogenous characteristics. Also, review analyse average cost against respective countries’ indicators like gross domestic product per capita data permit. Ethics dissemination Research ethics approval not required given this published subject. findings disseminated through publication peer-reviewed journal presentation WHO its partners. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020199312.