Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol: Diagnostic accuracy assessment for soil-transmitted helminth using microscopy and molecular-based methods.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) is a part of NTDs that remains to be eliminated because of its significant global impact. Diagnostics are essential in aiding the elimination of STH infection. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the progress of diagnostic techniques, especially molecular-based techniques. Nevertheless, there is currently no comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) evaluating the performance of molecular-based techniques for diagnosing STH. This protocol, registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024563432), intends to assess the diagnostic accuracy of molecular-based techniques compared to microscopic-based techniques for four common STH infections (, hookworms, and ) across global studies. Two authors will independently conduct the screening, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment of this SRMA. The obtained studies will be assessed using QUADAS-2 and will be analyzed for publication bias and diagnostic accuracy, including sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV, and DOR, and SROC. This developed protocol is expected to be versatile enough to be implemented in the range of studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of the advance compared to the convention methods with adjustments. The findings of this SRMA are expected to provide a valuable contribution towards achieving the goal of eradicating STH infection by 2030.