Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40717946›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Feasibility and acceptability of magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography for child neurodevelopmental research in rural Ethiopia.

Firehiwot Workneh, Theresa I Chin, Kalkidan Yibeltal, Krysten North, Nebiyou Fasil, Workagegnhu Tarekegn, Betelhem Haimanot Abate, Sarem Mulugeta, Gellila Asmamaw, Atsede Teklehaimanot and 8 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Firehiwot Workneh *Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Theresa I Chin *Division of Biology and Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.
Kalkidan YibeltalDepartment of Reproductive Health and Population, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Krysten NorthDepartment of Pediatrics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.
Nebiyou FasilDepartment of Global Health and Health Policy, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Workagegnhu TarekegnDepartment of Nutrition and Behavioural Sciences, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Betelhem Haimanot AbateAddis Continental Institute of Public Health, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Sarem MulugetaAddis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gellila AsmamawDepartment of Pediatrics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.
Atsede TeklehaimanotAddis Ababa University College of Health Science, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sonya V Troller-RenfreeDepartment of Human Development, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
Sarah K G JensenHarvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
Moriah E ThomasonDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
Terrie InderCenter for Neonatal Research, Children's Hospital of Orange County, California, CA, United States.
Charles A NelsonHarvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
Alemayehu WorkuDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Anne Cc LeeDivision of Biology and Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.
Yemane BerhaneDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Funding

Nutrition and Inflammation in Pregnancy: Impacts on Early Human Brain DevelopmentR01HD106106 · NICHD · BROWN UNIVERSITY · PI Anne Shee CC Lee · 2022 to 2026
$3.5M
NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD106106
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) are valuable tools for studying neuroanatomical and electrophysiological features of early brain development. Studies implementing neuroimaging tools in low- and middle-income countries are still rare, and there is limited data on the acceptability of such tools among rural communities. The present study explores the perceptions, feasibility, and acceptability of introducing MRI and EEG for child development research in the rural Amhara region of Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 40 in-depth interviews were conducted among community members ( Results: Knowledge of MRI and EEG was limited, and none of the community members had previous experiences with either technology. Broadly, participants responded positively to our introductory videos showing MRI and EEG acquisition and expressed high levels of acceptability. However, participants reported concerns about possible harms related to radiation, electrical shock, and injury from MRI/EEG procedures. Those with lesser education were identified to be less accepting of MRI/EEG. In addition, several mothers expressed that consent from their husbands was necessary for their child's participation in neurodevelopmental research. Potential logistical barriers identified included transportation challenges to the neuroimaging study sites, especially for rural-dwelling families. Creating awareness, using explanatory videos, and engaging community members and clinicians were recommended to facilitate acceptance of EEG and MRI. Conclusion: In this formative study, MRI and EEG were viewed as acceptable methods for assessing child neurodevelopment in rural areas of Ethiopia. Community members' and clinicians' views were impacted largely by social, religious, educational, and logistical aspects. Concerns related to MRI radiation, electrical shock, and injuries from EEG can be addressed through awareness creation and education. Engaging community leaders and healthcare providers is key to improving acceptability.

Indexed as

Child DevelopmentElectroencephalographyMagnetic Resonance ImagingPatient Acceptance of Health CareRural PopulationAdultChildEthiopiaFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleacceptabilityelectroencephalogramEthiopiafeasibilitymagnetic resonance imagingrural

Identifiers

PMID40717946
PMCPMC12289691

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.