by Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw, Gebeyehu Lakew, Adane Nigusie Background Health communication materials (HCMs) are widely used to support health education and promotion activities in clinical and community settings. However, evidence regarding their use by healthcare providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains inconsistent.
This scoping review aims to systematically map and describe the existing literature on the utilization of health communication materials by healthcare providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR reporting guideline and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework for scoping reviews.
The studies were searched from database inception to September 2025 using electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Hinari) were searched, and studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria aligned with the Population–Concept–Context framework. Data extraction was performed using a standardized form, and findings were narratively synthesized spreadsheet by two independent reviewers.
Findings were synthesized using descriptive numerical analysis and thematic analysis. Result A total of 728 records were identified.
715 were screened after removing duplicates.
PLOS ONE (Medicine) published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 23 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Use of health communication materials by health-care providers for health education in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review.
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