Dataset Information

Apples and oranges? Interpreting success in HIV prevention trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the last decade, several large-scale, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of novel HIV prevention products have been completed, and eight are currently underway or about to be reported. Little attention has been given in the literature to the level of protection sufficient to warrant introduction, and there is concern that using the term "efficacy" to describe the effect of user-controlled methods such as microbicides may mislead policymakers.

Design

We review how the fields of family planning, vaccine science and mathematical modelling understand and use the terms efficacy and effectiveness, and explore with simple mathematical models how trial results of user-controlled products relate to common understandings of these terms.

Results

Each field brings different assumptions, a different evidence base and different expectations to interpretations of efficacy and effectiveness - a reality that could cloud informed assessment of emerging data.

Conclusion

When making judgments on the utility of new health technologies, it is important to use standards that yield appropriate comparisons for the innovation and that take into account the local epidemic and available alternatives.

SUBMITTER: Heise LL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3775591 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Apples and oranges? Interpreting success in HIV prevention trials.

Heise Lori L LL Watts Charlotte C Foss Anna A Trussell James J Vickerman Peter P Hayes Richard R McCormack Sheena S

Contraception 20100807 1

<h4>Background</h4>In the last decade, several large-scale, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of novel HIV prevention products have been completed, and eight are currently underway or about to be reported. Little attention has been given in the literature to the level of protection sufficient to warrant introduction, and there is concern that using the term "efficacy" to describe the effect of user-controlled methods such as microbicides may mislead policymakers.<h4>Design</h4>We review ho ...[more]

PMID: 21134498

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Dataset Information

Apples and oranges? Interpreting success in HIV prevention trials.

Background

Design

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Apples and oranges? Interpreting success in HIV prevention trials.

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