Grant: Knowledge Synthesis Grant

Deworming has been assessed as the most cost-effective way to improve school attendance. However, a recent systematic review of albendazole alone compared to control suggested very small improvements in growth, and no evidence of benefit on school attendance. We are requesting funds to conduct a comprehensive systematic review of deworming in combination with integrated child health interventions, such as schoolfeeding, micronutrient supplementation and hygiene promotion. It is hypoethesized that deworming is more effetive when provided in conjunction with iron, micronutrients and food to correct anemia caused by worm infections. This systematic review will use process evaluation and metaregression to explore mediating factors that amplify or decrease the effects of deworming such as the intensity of worm infections, sanitation, water quality, endemicity of worms and socioeconomic status. The results of this systematic review will be conveyed to key stakeholders by developing an integrated knowledge translation plan in conjunction with four key knowledge users. This will include dissemination activities, push, pull, exchange and traditional academic publications and conferences.