Evidence Synthesis Center

In 2019, the Institute established an evidence synthesis center to provide a way for researchers, professionals, and students to receive guidance in performing systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews are a new form of research in Palestine. With direction from the team, they can help guide the production of high-quality research.

Overview

The Center is a member of The Global Evidence Synthesis Initiative (GESI). GESI is a network of evidence-based synthesis centers in low and middle-income countries. The network provides the possibility for centers to collaborate, provides training for capacity strengthening purposes and as a platform for funding opportunities. Our center is the only center to become a part of GESI in occupied Palestine.

Our team members have received training in evidence synthesis and implementation research, are experienced in performing systematic reviews, and are ready to provide support and guidance to anyone considering conducting a systematic review. We hope to expand our capacity strengthening activities to include implementation research soon.

For those interested in learning more about what the Center has to offer or in building their knowledge base in evidence synthesis please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

Mission

The ICPH Evidence Synthesis Center focuses on the generation of systematic reviews and evidence synthesis in all areas related to public health. The center also provides training to strengthen the capacity of researchers to be able to perform their own research.

Vision

To become the primary evidence synthesis center in occupied Palestine with the ability to generate high-quality research as well as provide researchers, healthcare professionals, and students alike with the training needed to perform their own systematic reviews.

Publications

Published Papers

  1. Zeidan, W., Taweel, H., Shalash, A. et al. Consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents in Arab Countries: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 20, 3 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01398-7 

  2. Alhroob T, Abu Alya W, Maraqa BN, Khalil CJ, Shalash A, Abu-Rmeileh NME and Nazzal Z (2023) The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Scoping Review. Int J Public Health 67:1604814. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604814 

  3. Abukhattab, S., Taweel, H., Awad, A., Crump, L., Vonaesch, P., Zinsstag, J., & Abu-Rmeileh, N. M. (2022). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Integrated Studies on Salmonella and Campylobacter Prevalence, Serovar, and Phenotyping and Genetic of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Middle East—A One Health Perspective. Antibiotics, 11(5), 536 

  4. Awad, A., Shalash, A., & Abu-Rmeileh, N. M. (2022). Women’s experiences throughout the birthing process in health facilities in Arab countries: a systematic review. Reproductive health, 19(1), 1-18.

  5. Murtagh, E., Shalash, A., Martin, R., & Abu Rmeileh, N. (2021). Measurement and prevalence of adult physical activity levels in Arab countries. Public Health, 198, 129-140. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.010

  6. Shalash, A., Alsalman, H. M., Hamed, A., Helo, M. A., Ghandour, R., Albarqouni, L., & Rmeileh, N. M. A. (2019). The range and nature of reproductive health research in the occupied Palestinian territory: a scoping review. , 16(1), 41.

  7. Albarqouni, L., Elessi, K., Abu-Rmeileh, N.M.E. (2018). A comparison between health research output and burden of disease in Arab countries: evidence from Palestine. Health Research Policy and Systems, 16(1), 25.

  8. Albarqouni, L., Abu-Rmeileh, N. M., Elessi, K., Obeidallah, M., Bjertness, E., & Chalmers, I. (2017). The quality of reports of medical and public health research from Palestinian institutions: a systematic review. BMJ open, 7(6), e016455.

Published Protocols

  1. WahdanY., Shalash A., AbuRmeileh N  The evaluation of behavioral and medical outcomes of infants when low molecular weight heparin is used during pregnancy compared to placebo. PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022315807 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022315807
  2. Awwad A., Shalash A., AbuRmeileh N. Women’s experiences throughout the birthing process in health facilities in the MENA region. PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020182806 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020182806
  3. Zeidan W., Taweel H., Shalash A., Husseini A. Fruits and Vegetables Consumption among Adolescents in the Arab Countries: a Systematic Review. PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020202818 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020202818
  4. Shalash A, Abu-Rmeileh, N.M.E., Obeidallah M., Shaheb A., Alsalman, H. M., Awwad T. (2019). Interventions used to improve nutrition of refugee, migrant, displaced populations in low and middle-income countries. PROSPEROCRD42019117184. DOI: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019117184

Contact

Prof. Niveen Abu Rmeileh, PhD 
Birzeit University, Institute of Community and Public Health  
Phone +972 2 298 2020 
Email: nrmeileh@birzeit.edu

Aisha Shalash, MPH, PhD Candidate
Birzeit University, Institute of Community and Public Health
School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Email: aashalash@birzeit.edu