Development of a quality assessment tool for systematic reviews of observational studies (QATSO) of HIV prevalence in men having sex with men and associated risk behaviours.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Systematic reviews based on the critical appraisal of observational and analytic studies on HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV transmission among men having sex with men are very useful for health care decisions and planning. Such appraisal is particularly difficult, however, as the quality assessment tools available for use with observational and analytic studies are poorly established.

Methods

We reviewed the existing quality assessment tools for systematic reviews of observational studies and developed a concise quality assessment checklist to help standardise decisions regarding the quality of studies, with careful consideration of issues such as external and internal validity.

Results

A pilot version of the checklist was developed based on epidemi

SUBMITTER: Wong WC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2603000 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature