Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42897369›Full record

ReviewJournal of community genetics2026

Community-based behavioral change interventions to reduce the burden of inherited genetic disorders in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): a scoping review.

Seema Lasi, Muhammad Asim, Javeria Tariq, Sada Zainab, Sana Liaquat, Afsar Uddin, Sehrish Haider, Kausar Waqar, Ayesha Zahid Khan, Nick Brown and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of community genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

11 authors.

Seema LasiHuman Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. seema.laasi@aku.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4388-7935
Muhammad AsimCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Javeria TariqMedical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sada ZainabCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sana LiaquatCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Afsar UddinHuman Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sehrish HaiderCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Kausar WaqarHuman Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ayesha Zahid KhanHuman Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Nick BrownUppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Salman KirmaniHuman Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGenetic and congenital disorders related to consanguineous marriage are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in regions where cousin marriages are common. Their burden may be reduced through community education and awareness, but evidence for a consistently effective means of implementing is sparse. Our aim is to review the published literature and to describe behavioral change approaches that have been used to reduce the burden of inherited genetic disorder in highly consanguineous communities.

methodsA scoping review based on PRISMA guidance, utilizing methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley was conducted. A systematic search was done across multiple electronic databases for literature published between 2000 and 2024. Studies related to community-level intervention targeting behavior, knowledge and attitudes related to continuity and genetic disease prevention in relevant LMIC settings were included.

resultsWe found nine papers fulfilling our priori search criteria, 6 from South and Southeast Asia and one each from the Middle East, West Africa and North Africa. Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies ranged from low to high, with MMAT scores spanning 40% to 100%. All involved short-term education and counselling sessions aimed at young couples, high school-age adolescents and community members. The majority were haemoglobinopathy targeted. Overall, the included studies reported positive effects of educational, counseling, and integrated behavioral interventions on increasing knowledge about genetic screening, testing, and genetic diseases.

conclusionCommunity-based interventions show promise in improving awareness of consanguinity-related genetic risks in LMIC settings, particularly when culturally adapted and embedded within trusted community platforms. However, evidence remains limited regarding their effectiveness in achieving sustained behavioral change.

Indexed as

Community-based interventions`Congenital hereditary diseasesConsanguineous marriages

Identifiers

PMID42897369
PMCPMC13680343

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.