The current status and prevalence of mild cognitive impairments and Alzheimer’s related dementia among older adults in sub-Saharan Africa: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological surveys

Abstract Background Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia are still global public health challenges, with an increased prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to an increase in aging population. Despite different studies estimating the prevalence, there is still a lack of current and updated reviews that have provided the estimated proportions in SSA. Therefore, this protocol will help in developing the review that will help in understanding the epidemiological trends of MCI and dementia in this region, which is crucial for informing and adding knowledge, setting interventions, and planning healthcare. Methods This review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE). We will search studies from an electronic database and manually search from listed references published after 2010 reporting on the prevalence of MCI and dementia among older adults. Two independent reviewers will extract data, and the quality will be assessed using a standardized checklist. Statistical analysis will be performed using Stata version 18 to present descriptive findings, forest plots, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression. Conclusion This study’s findings will provide updated estimates of MCI and dementia prevalence, filling a gap in the current literature essential for developing context-based interventions and health policies tailored to the needs of older adults. Prospero Registration: CRD42024542596