The link between alcohol consumption pattern and esophageal cancer risk in Africa: protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Esophageal cancer presents a pressing public health concern in Africa, particularly in Eastern and Southern regions, where it stands as a leading cause of mortality. Various factors, including alcohol consumption, have been implicated in the high incidence of this disease. However, the absence of a consensus regarding its precise etiology has hindered the implementation of effective preventive measures. As such, this study aims to present a detailed protocol for assessing the strength of the association between alcohol consumption patterns and esophageal cancer risk in the African context. To achieve this, we will meticulously identify relevant observational studies via a predefined search strategy applied to electronic databases like Medline/PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and African Journals Online. Additionally, a manual search will be conducted. Quality assessment will be performed utilizing established standards tools. Assessment for potential publication bias will involve the use of funnel plots and Egger's statistical test. To estimate summary effects, we will conduct meta-analyses, utilizing random-effects models with the Review Manager software. Heterogeneity among studies will be assessed via the I2 statistical test. Reporting of our findings will be by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Our systematic review, based on existing published data, will provide vital insights to inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers regarding the role of alcohol consumption in the etiology of esophageal cancer among African populations. The outcome of this research will serve as a roadmap for developing targeted interventions in this population, potentially reducing the burden of this devastating disease. The final systematic review report, in the form of a scientific article, will undergo peer review and be made available to National Health Service clinicians, and healthcare professionals, and presented at scientific conferences.