REVIEW PAPER
Compliance of published cross-sectional studies on pregnancy decision-making in women living with HIV/AIDS with STROBE statement: a critical appraisal of the literature
1
Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, MMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
4
Medicinal Plants Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Submission date: 2023-03-31
Final revision date: 2023-07-23
Acceptance date: 2023-07-23
Online publication date: 2025-11-18
Corresponding author
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Critical appraisal is a key step in the process of evidence-based practice. Strong evidence is required for decisions on patient care and policy-making, and high-quality studies are vital for developing the foundation of evidence-based medicine. This study aimed to assess the compliance of published cross-sectional studies regarding pregnancy decision-making in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Material and Methods:
In this critical review, the search was performed through English databases including PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus and Google Scholar search engine, without a time limit until the end of September 2022 with the keywords of HIV, AIDS, HIV sero-positivity, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, women, pregnancy, reproductive health, decision-making, contraceptive methods, and family planning. Finally, 38 English articles were critically appraised using the STROBE checklist. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 22).
Results:
The overall compliance rate with the STROBE statements was 77.36%. Introduction was the section with the highest level of compliance (98%) and results was the section with the lowest level of compliance (60.69%). 27 studies (71.05%), had good and 11 studies (28.94%) had moderate quality. The publication of the STROBE statement has not had a significant effect on the overall quality score of published studies (p = 0.14).
Conclusions:
It is suggested that not only medical journals use the STROBE statement to evaluate articles but also the researchers adhere to its standard principles when preparing and submitting articles.
Critical appraisal is a key step in the process of evidence-based practice. Strong evidence is required for decisions on patient care and policy-making, and high-quality studies are vital for developing the foundation of evidence-based medicine. This study aimed to assess the compliance of published cross-sectional studies regarding pregnancy decision-making in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Material and Methods:
In this critical review, the search was performed through English databases including PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus and Google Scholar search engine, without a time limit until the end of September 2022 with the keywords of HIV, AIDS, HIV sero-positivity, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, women, pregnancy, reproductive health, decision-making, contraceptive methods, and family planning. Finally, 38 English articles were critically appraised using the STROBE checklist. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 22).
Results:
The overall compliance rate with the STROBE statements was 77.36%. Introduction was the section with the highest level of compliance (98%) and results was the section with the lowest level of compliance (60.69%). 27 studies (71.05%), had good and 11 studies (28.94%) had moderate quality. The publication of the STROBE statement has not had a significant effect on the overall quality score of published studies (p = 0.14).
Conclusions:
It is suggested that not only medical journals use the STROBE statement to evaluate articles but also the researchers adhere to its standard principles when preparing and submitting articles.
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