Abstract Details

Title Neurophobia in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs): Burden and Implications for Neurology Care and Research – A Systematic Review

Topic ��ɫ��, Research, and Methodology

Presentation(s) P11 - Poster Session 11 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 15-020

Objective We reviewed the burden of neurophobia and described its implications for neurology care and research in low-and middle-income countries(LMICs)

Background Although neurological research and practice are gaining traction globally with newer therapeutic/diagnostic approaches,many medical students and trainees are reluctant to pursue a career path in the neurosciences. Amid fragile health systems and low neurologist-patient ratio, a comprehensive understanding of the burden of neurophobia in LMICs is yet lacking

Design/Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Scopus and African Journal Online(AJOL) for publications from inception till December 2024. Data from selected studies were extracted and populated into a customized spreadsheet under pre-defined headings. The extracted data were subsequently analyzed. The protocol for this review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024626463)

Results A total of 131 studies from PubMed(n=25), AJOL (n=6),and EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar(n=100) were screened. Ultimately, 15 studies were included, with a total sample size of 4,430 (3629 medical students and 801 postgraduate trainees). The prevalence of neurophobia ranged from as low as 6.25% among clinical medical students in Peru to as high as 91.4% among physical therapy students in Pakistan.Neurophobia was noted to increase from the preclinical stage to the clinical stage. The determinants however appeared consistent across study settings, ranging from specific individual-level characteristics(fear of making mistakes with critical care decisions), educational (lack of vertical integration between basic neuroscience and clinical neurology), sociocultural(stigma for neurologic disability) to health system-related factors(few treatment/diagnostic modalities contributing to poor outcome).

Conclusions

The prevalence of neurophobia in LMICs varies widely.To address neurophobia, extant health policy, educational, and clinical training initiatives should be geared towards implementing and sustaining evidence-based strategies to improve clinical exposure, confidence and case-based learning.This will be critical to ensuring a steady stream of neurology workforce and, consequently, help bridge the neurology clinical care and research gap in many LMICs

Authors/Disclosures
Oladotun V. Olalusi, MBBS (John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine) PRESENTER	Dr. Olalusi has nothing to disclose.
Obinna Amaji, MBBS	Dr. Amaji has nothing to disclose.
Tobi N. Olajide, Student (College of Medicine University of Ibadan)	Mr. Olajide has nothing to disclose.
Samuel I. Olawale, MBBS	Dr. Olawale has nothing to disclose.
Olukemi C. Ilori, Sr., MD	Dr. Ilori has nothing to disclose.
Morounfoluwa P. Olalusi, MD	Dr. Olalusi has nothing to disclose.
Joseph Yaria	Joseph Yaria has nothing to disclose.

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