Health promotion and education interventions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a rapid evidence review

Abstract

Background: Health promotion and education (HPE) is a valuable component of initiatives to improve health and prevent disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Aims: To assess the type and scope of HPE interventions in the EMR and analyze lessons learned. Methods: A rapid review was conducted using a PICOS (participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes and study approaches) framework guiding approach. Results: We identified a growin interest in HPE approaches in the EMR, with the majority of studies published within the past five years. Few high-quality studies were identified. Formative research predominated with nearly half of the studies recommending the need toscale up HPE interventions. There was little emphasis on implementation and evaluation of priority HPE interventions. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need to: (1) up-scale resource-efficient HPE interventions; (2) implement HPE programmes addressing noncommunicable disease priorities; and (3) capacity building to operationalize high-quality interventions and evaluations