Geriatrics studies in Nigeria: systematic review and quality assessment protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Geriatrics, a specialized medical branch focusing on the health and well-being of older individuals, has gained increasing attention due to the global demographic shift towards an aging population. Despite the significant growth of the older adult population in Nigeria, limited empirical studies hinder the translation of research findings into health and well-being improvements for older adults in the region. Objective: This systematic review will synthesize geriatrics research conducted in Nigeria over the past 6 decades, identifying temporal patterns and research priorities. Methods: Four electronic databases will be searched to identify studies from published and grey literature on geriatrics in Nigeria between 1960 and 2023 and will be reviewed from inception to 2023: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and African Journal Online. The population of interest is older adults aged ≥60 years. The review team comprises primary investigators, content experts, and a subject librarian. Data extraction and analysis will be conducted independently by review authors, and statistical analysis will be performed by experts. Expected results: Depending on the results, we anticipate that this systematic review will help clarify the state of geriatrics studies and services in Nigeria. Relevance: The review will fill research gaps to inform policy directives and interventions in geriatric care by developing evidence-based clinical and policy documents to improve the health and well-being of older adults in Nigeria.