The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60214

Anshu P Mohllajee, MPH¹, Kathryn M Curtis, PhD², Effy Vayena, PhD³, Richard G Flanagan⁴, Kathryn A Church, MPH³, Ward Rinehart, MA⁴, and Herbert Peterson, MD³. (1) Department of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-6303, amohllajee@cdc.gov, (2) Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, (3) Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Geneva, Switzerland, (4) Center for Communications Programs, John Hopkins University, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202

Objective: The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with other major international organizations to create a common set of evidence-based recommendations for family planning. To support this effort, WHO, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the John Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHUCCP), has developed a system to identify and evaluate new family planning evidence as it becomes available.

Methodology: Through the CIRE system (Continuous Identification of Research Evidence), we identify and critically appraise new scientific evidence, beginning with documents identified through the POPLINE database. Critical appraisals are evaluated by peer-reviewers and modified based on reviewers’ comments. The development of CIRE began in May 2002, sensitivity analyses were conducted in September and October 2002, and the pilot process occurred during October and November 2002.

Results: After reviewing existing systems to rate strength of scientific evidence, we developed a critical appraisal methodology, including abstract forms to systematically assess new articles, a system to grade quality of evidence, and a peer review process. Results of sensitivity analyses revealed that most new evidence is captured by the system, though there will be periodic quality control checks. The critical appraisal process was revised based on pilot peer-reviewers’ comments. WHO uses the final critical appraisals to update recommendations through expert meetings. New evidence is available through the WHO and JHUCCP websites.

Conclusions: The CIRE system systematically identifies and rigorously critiques new evidence to assure that WHO’s global family planning guidance is based on the best available evidence.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to:
• 1.Identify the need for evidence-based guidelines in family planning
• 2.Describe the development and consensus driven process of WHO’s evidence-based family planning guidelines
• 3.List the steps in creating a system created to capture and critically appraise relevant scientific evidence

Keywords: Contraceptives, Evidence Based Practice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.