Prevalence and associated factors of microbial water quality from drinking water in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Abstract
Purpose To determine the pooled prevalence and associated contributing factors of microbial water quality, especially the most recent fecal contamination indicator, fecal coliforms, from drinking water in Ethiopia. Method The review will be conducted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and PRISMA-P and registered in PROSPERO CRD42024537804. The studies will be identified from peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and expert submissions. To identify peer-reviewed literature, “microbial water quality” will be combined with terms to restrict the search for drinking water and measure the prevalence and/or associated factors of microbial water quality. We further restricted the search in Ethiopia. The following databases will be used: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Worldwide Science, and Science Direct. Two independent reviewers will identify studies, extract data, assess the risk of bias, and assess methodological quality. The studies included will be determined in terms of quality based on the criteria listed in the Goanna Bridge Institute quality parameters. Statistical techniques like Higgins I2 will be used to investigate heterogeneity among the included studies. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis will be carried out to evaluate how reliable the results are. A funnel plot will be used to evaluate reporting publication bias, and Begg’s and Egger’s assessments will be used to check funnel plot balances. Discussion…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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