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Open Science Framework · August 23, 2026

Medico-Social Determinants of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Thyroid Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Shnara Svetlanova, Laila

Shnara Svetlanova
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Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis will evaluate the level of thyroid-related knowledge and awareness across different populations and identify factors associated with adequate or good knowledge. The review will include observational studies assessing knowledge related to thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, iodine-related thyroid health, and other relevant thyroid-health domains. A systematic literature search will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using predefined search strategies. Eligible studies will be selected according to prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria, and relevant information on study characteristics, populations, knowledge assessment methods, definitions of adequate or good knowledge, and associated determinants will be extracted using a standardized approach. Methodological quality will be evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. Where sufficient comparable data are available, study-specific prevalence estimates of adequate or good thyroid-related knowledge will be synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis. Between-study variance will be estimated using restricted maximum-likelihood estimation, and the Hartung–Knapp adjustment will be applied. Statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated using I² and τ², and prediction intervals will be calculated where appropriate. Exploratory subgroup analyses will examine differences according to thyroid-related domain. Potential determinants of thyroid-related knowledge, including sociodemographic, educational, and health-related factors, will be quantitatively synthesized when at least two studies report sufficiently comparable effect estimates and reference categories. Sensitivity and influence analyses will be performed to evaluate the robustness of pooled estimates. Potential small-study effects will be explored where methodologically appropriate. The review is expected to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the level and distribution of thyroid-related knowledge and to identify factors associated with knowledge differences across populations. The findings may help identify knowledge gaps and population groups that could benefit from targeted thyroid-health education and public health interventions.

Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsThyroid and Parathyroid SurgeryThyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatmentthyroid dysfunctionhealth knowledgehealth awareness

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