The effectiveness of educational interventions on the dementia health literacy among informal caregivers in the Asia Pacific: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction: This review will systematically examine the effectiveness of educational interventions on dementia health literacy (DHL) among informal caregivers (ICs) in 42 Asia Pacific countries and territories as more than half of people with dementia worldwide are living in this region. This study will examine the effectiveness of interventions on ICs’ capacity to access, understand, evaluate, and apply dementia-related information as the primary outcome and ICs’ beliefs and attitudes toward dementia and people living with dementia as secondary outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search will be performed in EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Central, Web of Science, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar. No date nor language restriction will be applied. The population of interest are ICs in 42 Asia Pacific countries and territories. The quality of studies will be assessed using existing appraisal tools (i.e. Joanna Briggs Institute’s Checklists). An inductive narrative synthesis technique will be used to analyse the extracted data. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) and non-RCT interventions will be full-reviewed but only RCT studies will be pooled in a meta-analysis. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity will also be assessed. Results: The results will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. The standardized procedure and reporting will ensure the review’s quality and could be used by the stakeholders in the region for planning DHL-related programs. This comprehensive review will also significantly contribute to dementia caregiving and caregiver literature and programs. Conclusion: This protocol of the planned systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of educational interventions on DHL for ICs in the Asia Pacific countries and territories will set the foundation for its further progress.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022355424