|
 |
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
© 2004 American Public Health Association
PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS |
Cesar G. Victora is with the Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Jean-Pierre Habicht is with the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. At the time this report was written, Jennifer Bryce was with the Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development of the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Cesar G. Victora, MD, PhD, Post-Graduate Programme in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 464, 96001–970, Pelotas, RS, Brazil (e-mail: dcdesjarla{at}aol.com).
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential for evaluating the efficacy of clinical interventions, where the causal chain between the agent and the outcome is relatively short and simple and where results may be safely extrapolated to other settings.
However, causal chains in public health interventions are complex, making RCT results subject to effect modification in different populations. Both the internal and external validity of RCT findings can be greatly enhanced by observational studies using adequacy or plausibility designs. For evaluating large-scale interventions, studies with plausibility designs are often the only feasible option and may provide valid evidence of impact.
There is an urgent need to develop evaluation standards and protocols for use in circumstances where RCTs are not appropriate.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  N. Crepaz, K. J. Marshall, L. W. Aupont, E. D. Jacobs, Y. Mizuno, L. S. Kay, P. Jones, D. H. McCree, and A. O'Leary The Efficacy of HIV/STI Behavioral Interventions for African American Females in the United States: A Meta-Analysis Am J Public Health, November 1, 2009; 99(11): 2069 - 2078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. A. Crosby, L. F. Salazar, R. J. DiClemente, and D. L. Lang Balancing rigor against the inherent limitations of investigating hard-to-reach populations Health Educ. Res., October 19, 2009; (2009) cyp062v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Touati, R. Pineault, F. Champagne, J.-L. Denis, A. Brousselle, A.-P. Contandriopoulos, and R. Geneau Evaluating Service Organization Models: The Relevance and Methodological Challenges of a Configurational Approach Evaluation, October 1, 2009; 15(4): 375 - 401. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J.-L. Tang and S. Griffiths Review Paper: Epidemiology, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Public Health Asia Pac J Public Health, July 1, 2009; 21(3): 244 - 251. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Laforest, A. Pelletier, L. Gauvin, Y. Robitaille, M. Fournier, H. Corriveau, and J. Filiatrault Impact of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program on Maintenance of Physical Activity Among Older Adults J Aging Health, June 1, 2009; 21(3): 480 - 500. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Abuya, G. Fegan, Y. Rowa, B. Karisa, S. Ochola, W. Mutemi, and V. Marsh Impact of Ministry of Health Interventions on Private Medicine Retailer Knowledge and Practices on Anti-Malarial Treatment in Kenya Am J Trop Med Hyg, June 1, 2009; 80(6): 905 - 913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. K. Rowe Potential of Integrated Continuous Surveys and Quality Management to Support Monitoring, Evaluation, and the Scale-Up of Health Interventions in Developing Countries Am J Trop Med Hyg, June 1, 2009; 80(6): 971 - 979. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. K. Rowe, F. Onikpo, M. Lama, D. M. Osterholt, S. Y. Rowe, and M. S. Deming A Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Health Worker Adherence to Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Guidelines in Benin Am J Public Health, May 1, 2009; 99(5): 837 - 846. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. D. Allen, A. M. Stoddard, and G. Sorensen Do Social Network Characteristics Predict Mammography Screening Practices? Health Educ Behav, December 1, 2008; 35(6): 763 - 776. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. J. Stoltzfus Research Needed to Strengthen Science and Programs for the Control of Iron Deficiency and Its Consequences in Young Children J. Nutr., December 1, 2008; 138(12): 2542 - 2546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. C. Semenza, F. Apfel, T. Rose, and J. Giesecke A network strategy to advance public health in Europe Eur J Public Health, October 1, 2008; 18(5): 441 - 447. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W K Cook Integrating research and action: a systematic review of community-based participatory research to address health disparities in environmental and occupational health in the USA J Epidemiol Community Health, August 1, 2008; 62(8): 668 - 676. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. E. Tinetti, D. I. Baker, M. King, M. Gottschalk, T. E. Murphy, D. Acampora, B. P. Carlin, L. Leo-Summers, and H. G. Allore Effect of Dissemination of Evidence in Reducing Injuries from Falls N. Engl. J. Med., July 17, 2008; 359(3): 252 - 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. L Fiedler and T. Chuko The cost of Child Health Days: a case study of Ethiopia's Enhanced Outreach Strategy (EOS) Health Policy Plan., July 1, 2008; 23(4): 222 - 233. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. English, G. Irimu, A. Wamae, F. Were, A. Wasunna, G. Fegan, and N. Peshu Health systems research in a low-income country: easier said than done Arch. Dis. Child., June 1, 2008; 93(6): 540 - 544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. P. Behague and K. T. Storeng Collapsing the Vertical-Horizontal Divide: An Ethnographic Study of Evidence-Based Policymaking in Maternal Health Am J Public Health, April 1, 2008; 98(4): 644 - 649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. R. Hollin, J. McGuire, J. C. Hounsome, R. M. Hatcher, C. A.L. Bilby, and E. J. Palmer Cognitive Skills Behavior Programs for Offenders in the Community: A Reconviction Analysis Criminal Justice and Behavior, March 1, 2008; 35(3): 269 - 283. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Armstrong, E. Waters, L. Moore, E. Riggs, L. G. Cuervo, P. Lumbiganon, and P. Hawe Improving the reporting of public health intervention research: advancing TREND and CONSORT J. Public Health Med., March 1, 2008; 30(1): 103 - 109. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. R. Marsh, J. C. Alegre, and K. Z. Waltensperger A Results Framework Serves Both Program Design and Delivery Science J. Nutr., March 1, 2008; 138(3): 630 - 633. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. R. Hollin Evaluating offending behaviour programmes: Does only randomization glister? JCriminology and Criminal Justice, February 1, 2008; 8(1): 89 - 106. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. K. Lutter, A. Rodriguez, G. Fuenmayor, L. Avila, F. Sempertegui, and J. Escobar Growth and Micronutrient Status in Children Receiving a Fortified Complementary Food J. Nutr., February 1, 2008; 138(2): 379 - 388. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Steckler and K. R. McLeroy The Importance of External Validity Am J Public Health, January 1, 2008; 98(1): 9 - 10. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Myers, M. Bernstein, S. F. Morin, and M. Reyes Targeting HIV Clinical Training With Maps: Lessons From the Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center Eval Health Prof, December 1, 2007; 30(4): 322 - 338. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. W Taylor, K. A McAuley, W. Barbezat, A. Strong, S. M Williams, and J. I Mann APPLE Project: 2-y findings of a community-based obesity prevention program in primary school age children Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2007; 86(3): 735 - 742. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. B. Wolf Is Breast Really Best? Risk and Total Motherhood in the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law, August 1, 2007; 32(4): 595 - 636. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. E Pettifor, C. MacPhail, S. Bertozzi, and H. V Rees Challenge of evaluating a national HIV prevention programme: the case of loveLife, South Africa Sex Transm Inf, August 1, 2007; 83(suppl_1): i70 - i74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. G. Piwoz, J. H. Humphrey, N. V. Tavengwa, P. J. Iliff, E. T. Marinda, C. D. Zunguza, K. J. Nathoo, K. Mutasa, L. H. Moulton, and B. J. Ward The Impact of Safer Breastfeeding Practices on Postnatal HIV-1 Transmission in Zimbabwe Am J Public Health, July 1, 2007; 97(7): 1249 - 1254. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M K. Ranson, T. Sinha, M. Chatterjee, F. Gandhi, R. Jayswal, F. Patel, S. S Morris, and A. J Mills Equitable utilisation of Indian community based health insurance scheme among its rural membership: cluster randomised controlled trial BMJ, June 23, 2007; 334(7607): 1309 - 1309. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Cameron, S. Manske, K. S. Brown, M. A. Jolin, D. Murnaghan, and C. Lovato Integrating Public Health Policy, Practice, Evaluation, Surveillance, and Research: The School Health Action Planning and Evaluation System Am J Public Health, April 1, 2007; 97(4): 648 - 654. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. R Goldsmith, C. R Bankhead, and J. Austoker Synthesising quantitative and qualitative research in evidence-based patient information J Epidemiol Community Health, March 1, 2007; 61(3): 262 - 270. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Perez-Escamilla and J. King Evidence-Based Public Nutrition: An Evolving Concept J. Nutr., February 1, 2007; 137(2): 478 - 479. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. C. King An Evidence-Based Approach for Establishing Dietary Guidelines J. Nutr., February 1, 2007; 137(2): 480 - 483. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. H. F. Grypdonck Qualitative Health Research in the Era of Evidence-Based Practice Qual Health Res, December 1, 2006; 16(10): 1371 - 1385. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Z. A Bhutta, A. Belgaumi, M. A. Rab, Z. Karrar, M. Khashaba, and N. Mouane Child health and survival in the Eastern Mediterranean region BMJ, October 21, 2006; 333(7573): 839 - 842. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Rowling and V. Jeffreys Capturing complexity: integrating health and education research to inform health-promoting schools policy and practice Health Educ. Res., October 1, 2006; 21(5): 705 - 718. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Stronks and J. P. Mackenbach Evaluating the effect of policies and interventions to address inequalities in health: lessons from a Dutch programme Eur J Public Health, August 1, 2006; 16(4): 346 - 353. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. C. Lemon, J. G. Zapka, B. Estabrook, and E. Benjamin Challenges to Research in Urban Community Health Centers Am J Public Health, April 1, 2006; 96(4): 626 - 628. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Guldbrandsson and S. Bremberg Two approaches to school health promotion--a focus on health-related behaviours and general competencies. An ecological study of 25 Swedish municipalities Health Promot. Int., March 1, 2006; 21(1): 37 - 44. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Nebot Health promotion evaluation and the principle of prevention J Epidemiol Community Health, January 1, 2006; 60(1): 5 - 6. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Robitaille, S. Laforest, M. Fournier, L. Gauvin, M. Parisien, H. Corriveau, F. Trickey, and N. Damestoy Moving Forward in Fall Prevention: An Intervention to Improve Balance Among Older Adults in Real-World Settings Am J Public Health, November 1, 2005; 95(11): 2049 - 2056. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Russell Illuminating cases: understanding the economic burden of illness through case study household research Health Policy Plan., September 1, 2005; 20(5): 277 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. L Barreto Efficacy, effectiveness, and the evaluation of public health interventions J Epidemiol Community Health, May 1, 2005; 59(5): 345 - 346. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Chopra, S Patel, K Cloete, D Sanders, and S Peterson Effect of an IMCI intervention on quality of care across four districts in Cape Town, South Africa Arch. Dis. Child., April 1, 2005; 90(4): 397 - 401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. C. Lee, J. D. Westaby, and R. L. Berg Impact of a National Rural Youth Health and Safety Initiative: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial Am J Public Health, October 1, 2004; 94(10): 1743 - 1749. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. P. Chaulk and V. A. Kazandjian MOVING BEYOND RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS Am J Public Health, September 1, 2004; 94(9): 1476 - 1476. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N C Grassly, M Morgan, N Walker, G Garnett, K A Stanecki, J Stover, T Brown, and P D Ghys Uncertainty in estimates of HIV/AIDS: the estimation and application of plausibility bounds Sex Transm Inf, August 1, 2004; 80(suppl_1): i31 - i38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Buekens, G. Keusch, J. Belizan, and Z. A. Bhutta Evidence-Based Global Health JAMA, June 2, 2004; 291(21): 2639 - 2641. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Kirkwood Making public health interventions more evidence based BMJ, April 24, 2004; 328(7446): 966 - 967. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. C. Des Jarlais, C. Lyles, N. Crepaz, and the TREND Group Improving the Reporting Quality of Nonrandomized Evaluations of Behavioral and Public Health Interventions: The TREND Statement Am J Public Health, March 1, 2004; 94(3): 361 - 366. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Bryce, C. G. Victora, J.-P. Habicht, J. P. Vaughan, and R. E. Black The Multi-Country Evaluation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Strategy: Lessons for the Evaluation of Public Health Interventions Am J Public Health, March 1, 2004; 94(3): 406 - 415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |