The PRS efficacy criteria are used to
determine if an HIV behavioral intervention
is evidence-based, that is, if there is
sufficient evidence that the intervention
reduced HIV risk. The first PRS efficacy review (CDC, 1999)
[1] and the update (Kay, 2003)
[17], were based on the original
criteria used for the
Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of Effectiveness.
Since that time, the HIV behavioral prevention research field has matured and become more rigorous. In 2004, to reflect the scientific progress in the field and focus on those interventions with the strongest evidence of efficacy, PRS strengthened its criteria for identifying evidence-based,
individual- and group-level behavioral interventions. These revised criteria were developed as the result of multiple consultations with methodologists and HIV prevention researchers. These revised criteria focus on quality of study design, quality of study implementation and analysis, and strength of evidence of efficacy.
Based on the overall quality of the study,
evidence-based behavioral interventions are
classified as either
best-evidence or
promising-evidence.
PRS is continually reviewing the literature and will update this website
biannually to provide timely information to the prevention field.
At the present time, these criteria only apply to individual- and group-level behavioral interventions.
The PRS team is currently reviewing community-level interventions and will highlight those findings on this website once the review is completed.
Best-evidence Interventions
Best-evidence interventions are HIV behavioral interventions that have been rigorously evaluated and have been shown to have significant and positive evidence of efficacy (i.e., eliminate or reduce sex- or drug-risk behaviors, reduce the rate of new HIV/STD infections, or increase
HIV-protective behaviors). These
interventions are considered to be
scientifically rigorous and to provide the
strongest evidence of efficacy. These
interventions meet the PRS efficacy criteria for
best evidence.
Go to top
Promising-evidence Interventions
Promising-evidence interventions are HIV behavioral interventions that have been sufficiently evaluated and have been shown to have significant and positive evidence of efficacy (i.e., eliminate or reduce sex- or drug-risk behaviors, reduce the rate of new HIV/STD infections, or increase
HIV-protective behaviors). While the evaluations of these interventions do not meet the same level of rigor as the best-evidence interventions, they are considered to be scientifically sound, provide sufficient evidence
of efficacy, and address the HIV prevention
needs of many communities by targeting
high-risk populations. These interventions
meet the PRS efficacy criteria for promising
evidence.
Go to top
Back
to Efficacy Review
|