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BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jan 2012To examine the effect of setting, intensity, and timing of peer support on breast feeding. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of setting, intensity, and timing of peer support on breast feeding.
DESIGN
Systematic review and metaregression analysis of randomised controlled trials.
DATA SOURCES
Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, the National Research Register, and British Nursing Index were searched from inception or from 1980 to 2011. Review methods Study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessment were carried out independently and in duplicate. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for individual studies and pooled. Effects were estimated for studies grouped according to setting (high income countries, low or middle income countries, and the United Kingdom), intensity (<5 and ≥5 planned contacts), and timing of peer support (postnatal period with or without antenatal care), and analysed using metaregression for any and exclusive breast feeding at last study follow-up.
RESULTS
Peer support interventions had a significantly greater effect on any breast feeding in low or middle income countries (P<0.001), reducing the risk of not breast feeding at all by 30% (relative risk 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.82) compared with a reduction of 7% (0.93, 0.87 to 1.00) in high income countries. Similarly, the risk of non-exclusive breast feeding decreased significantly more in low or middle income countries than in high income countries: 37% (0.63, 0.52 to 0.78) compared with 10% (0.90, 0.85 to 0.97); P=0.01. No significant effect on breast feeding was observed in UK based studies. Peer support had a greater effect on any breastfeeding rates when given at higher intensity (P=0.02) and only delivered in the postnatal period (P<0.001), although no differences were observed of its effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates by intensity or timing.
CONCLUSION
Although peer support interventions increase breastfeeding continuation in low or middle income countries, especially exclusive breast feeding, this does not seem to apply in high income countries, particularly the United Kingdom, where breastfeeding support is part of routine postnatal healthcare. Peer support of low intensity does not seem to be effective. Policy relating to provision of peer support should be based on more specific evidence on setting and any new peer services in high income countries need to undergo concurrent evaluation.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Developed Countries; Developing Countries; Female; Humans; Peer Group; Postnatal Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Regression Analysis; Social Support; Socioeconomic Factors; United Kingdom
PubMed: 22277543
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d8287 -
A systematic review of how homeopathy is represented in conventional and CAM peer reviewed journals.BMC Complementary and Alternative... Jun 2005Growing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the public sector is reflected in the scientific community by an increased number of research... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
BACKGROUND
Growing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the public sector is reflected in the scientific community by an increased number of research articles assessing its therapeutic effects. Some suggest that publication biases occur in mainstream medicine, and may also occur in CAM. Homeopathy is one of the most widespread and most controversial forms of CAM. The purpose of this study was to compare the representation of homeopathic clinical trials published in traditional science and CAM journals.
METHODS
Literature searches were performed using Medline (PubMed), AMED and Embase computer databases. Search terms included "homeo-pathy, -path, and -pathic" and "clinical" and "trial". All articles published in English over the past 10 years were included. Our search yielded 251 articles overall, of which 46 systematically examined the efficacy of homeopathic treatment. We categorized the overall results of each paper as having either "positive" or "negative" outcomes depending upon the reported effects of homeopathy. We also examined and compared 15 meta-analyses and review articles on homeopathy to ensure our collection of clinical trials was reasonably comprehensive. These articles were found by inserting the term "review" instead of "clinical" and "trial".
RESULTS
Forty-six peer-reviewed articles published in a total of 23 different journals were compared (26 in CAM journals and 20 in conventional journals). Of those in conventional journals, 69% reported negative findings compared to only 30% in CAM journals. Very few articles were found to be presented in a "negative" tone, and most were presented using "neutral" or unbiased language.
CONCLUSION
A considerable difference exists between the number of clinical trials showing positive results published in CAM journals compared with traditional journals. We found only 30% of those articles published in CAM journals presented negative findings, whereas over twice that amount were published in traditional journals. These results suggest a publication bias against homeopathy exists in mainstream journals. Conversely, the same type of publication bias does not appear to exist between review and meta-analysis articles published in the two types of journals.
Topics: Bias; Clinical Trials as Topic; Homeopathy; Journalism, Medical; Peer Review, Research
PubMed: 15955254
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-5-12 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jan 2021During adolescence, peer relationships take precedence and there is a normative increase in social anxiety. Although prospective studies have suggested peer functioning... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
During adolescence, peer relationships take precedence and there is a normative increase in social anxiety. Although prospective studies have suggested peer functioning and social anxiety can influence each other, their findings have not been examined systematically. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies to examine the bidirectional relationship between peer functioning and social anxiety in adolescence.
METHODS
EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, and PubMed were searched to identify relevant articles. Meta-analysis was conducted to examine the mean effect sizes of prospective associations between social anxiety and four dimensions of peer functioning. Moderator analysis was performed, with age, gender, time interval between baseline and follow-up assessment, and publication year as moderators.
RESULTS
Meta-analyses of 23 studies showed that friendship quality (r =-.11), peer rejection (r =-.06), and peer victimization (r =.23) were each associated with later social anxiety, but peer acceptance was not (r =-.11). Social anxiety at baseline was associated with prospective levels of friendship quality (r =-.11), peer rejection (r=.09), and peer victimization (r =.17), but not peer acceptance (r =-.14). Age moderated the association between friendship quality and prospective social anxiety. Other moderator effects were statistically non-significant.
LIMITATIONS
Limitations include different classifications of peer functioning, the use of self-report measures, heterogeneity between studies, and underrepresentation of clinical samples.
CONCLUSIONS
A significant bidirectional association was found with social anxiety across three dimensions of peer functioning. Psychological prevention and intervention targeting peer functioning and social anxiety are indicated.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Bullying; Crime Victims; Humans; Peer Group; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 33190116
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.055 -
Research Integrity and Peer Review May 2023Differential participation and success in grant applications may contribute to women's lesser representation in the sciences. This study's objective was to conduct a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Differential participation and success in grant applications may contribute to women's lesser representation in the sciences. This study's objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the question of gender differences in grant award acceptance rates and reapplication award acceptance rates (potential bias in peer review outcomes) and other grant outcomes.
METHODS
The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021232153) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 standards. We searched Academic Search Complete, PubMed, and Web of Science for the timeframe 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2020, and forward and backward citations. Studies were included that reported data, by gender, on any of the following: grant applications or reapplications, awards, award amounts, award acceptance rates, or reapplication award acceptance rates. Studies that duplicated data reported in another study were excluded. Gender differences were investigated by meta-analyses and generalized linear mixed models. Doi plots and LFK indices were used to assess reporting bias.
RESULTS
The searches identified 199 records, of which 13 were eligible. An additional 42 sources from forward and backward searches were eligible, for a total of 55 sources with data on one or more outcomes. The data from these studies ranged from 1975 to 2020: 49 sources were published papers and six were funders' reports (the latter were identified by forwards and backwards searches). Twenty-nine studies reported person-level data, 25 reported application-level data, and one study reported both: person-level data were used in analyses. Award acceptance rates were 1% higher for men, which was not significantly different from women (95% CI 3% more for men to 1% more for women, k = 36, n = 303,795 awards and 1,277,442 applications, I = 84%). Reapplication award acceptance rates were significantly higher for men (9%, 95% CI 18% to 1%, k = 7, n = 7319 applications and 3324 awards, I = 63%). Women received smaller award amounts (g = -2.28, 95% CI -4.92 to 0.36, k = 13, n = 212,935, I = 100%).
CONCLUSIONS
The proportions of women that applied for grants, re-applied, accepted awards, and accepted awards after reapplication were less than the proportion of eligible women. However, the award acceptance rate was similar for women and men, implying no gender bias in this peer reviewed grant outcome. Women received smaller awards and fewer awards after re-applying, which may negatively affect continued scientific productivity. Greater transparency is needed to monitor and verify these data globally.
PubMed: 37131184
DOI: 10.1186/s41073-023-00127-3 -
The effectiveness of peer-support for people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PloS One 2021The practice of involving people living with HIV in the development and provision of healthcare has gained increasing traction. Peer-support for people living with HIV... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The practice of involving people living with HIV in the development and provision of healthcare has gained increasing traction. Peer-support for people living with HIV is assistance and encouragement by an individual considered equal, in taking an active role in self-management of their chronic health condition. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of peer-support for people living with HIV.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review in accordance with international guidelines. Following systematic searches of eight databases until May 2020, two reviewers performed independent screening of studies according to preset inclusion criteria. We conducted risk of bias assessments and meta-analyses of the available evidence in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The certainty of the evidence for each primary outcome was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system.
RESULTS
After screening 219 full texts we included 20 RCTs comprising 7605 participants at baseline from nine different countries. The studies generally had low risk of bias. Main outcomes with high certainty of evidence showed modest, but superior retention in care (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.07; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% 1.02-1.12 at 12 months follow-up), antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence (RR 1.06; CI 95% 1.01-1.10 at 3 months follow-up), and viral suppression (Odds Ratio up to 6.24; CI 95% 1.28-30.5 at 6 months follow-up) for peer-support participants. The results showed that the current state of evidence for most other main outcomes (ART initiation, CD4 cell count, quality of life, mental health) was promising, but too uncertain for firm conclusions.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, peer-support with routine medical care is superior to routine clinic follow-up in improving outcomes for people living with HIV. It is a feasible and effective approach for linking and retaining people living with HIV to HIV care, which can help shoulder existing services.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
CRD42020173433.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Anti-Retroviral Agents; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Peer Group; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Social Support; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34138897
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252623 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022The effectiveness of peer support in improving mental health and well-being has been well documented for vulnerable populations. However, how peer support is delivered... (Review)
Review
The effectiveness of peer support in improving mental health and well-being has been well documented for vulnerable populations. However, how peer support is delivered to migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to support their mental health is still unknown. This scoping review aimed to synthesize evidence on existing peer support services for improving mental health among MDWs. We systematically searched eight electronic databases, as well as grey literature. Two reviewers independently performed title/abstract and full-text screening, and data extraction. Twelve articles were finally included. Two types of peer support were identified from the included studies, i.e., mutual aid and para-professional trained peer support. MDWs mainly seek support from peers through mutual aid for emotional comfort. The study's findings suggest that the para-professional peer support training program was highly feasible and culturally appropriate for MDWs. However, several barriers were identified to affect the successful implementation of peer support, such as concerns about emotion contagion among peers, worries about disclosure of personal information, and lack of support from health professionals. Culture-specific peer support programs should be developed in the future to overcome these barriers to promote more effective mental health practices.
Topics: Counseling; Health Personnel; Humans; Mental Health; Peer Group; Transients and Migrants
PubMed: 35805278
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137617 -
Journal of Taibah University Medical... Jun 2020Despite the popularity of peer-assisted learning (PAL), existing literature has not shown enough evidence that can validate its impact on students' active learning. This... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Despite the popularity of peer-assisted learning (PAL), existing literature has not shown enough evidence that can validate its impact on students' active learning. This meta-analysis aims to quantitatively analyse the effectiveness of PAL in medical education.
METHODS
We searched selected databases using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms 'peer-assisted', 'learning', 'active learning', 'teaching strategy', 'peer mentoring', and 'peer instructions' for full-text English language studies with a pre-post design. Following a systematic protocol, we selected 11 articles for final analysis. A meta-analysis was done using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 from Cochrane Training and the final output was presented by a forest plot.
RESULTS
The results showed a significant effectiveness of PAL; notably, there was a standardised mean difference of 1.26 with a confidence interval of 0.58-1.94. The Cochran's Q test showed a 5% level of significance as measured by Chi = 449.46. Besides, the results of the I test were significant (98%); moreover, a z value of 3.65 validated the effectiveness of PAL.
CONCLUSION
This research has shown that PAL can be used as a valuable learning tool in the medical field. Educational interventions in curricula for incorporating PAL strategies can potentially enhance the learning experience of the medical students.
PubMed: 32647511
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2020.05.002 -
Journal of the American Board of Family... 2022There is considerable interest in the association between food insecurity (FIS) and various cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia. Although the association... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
There is considerable interest in the association between food insecurity (FIS) and various cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia. Although the association between FIS and dyslipidemia has been studied across various methodologies and populations, there is no comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of these data.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted. Cross-sectional peer-review studies assessing the association between FIS and dyslipidemia were identified. Data extracted included population characteristics, study sizes, covariates explored, and laboratory assessments of dyslipidemia. Effect sizes were extracted or calculated, then synthesized across studies using a random effect model, and the heterogeneity, publication bias, and subgroup dependence for each meta-analysis were assessed.
RESULTS
For adults, meta-analysis demonstrated no significantly elevated odds for FIS individuals to have a concomitant abnormal lipid measurement. Covariate-unadjusted analysis of standardized mean differences showed no significant differences in lipid measurements between food-insecure and food-secure individuals. In contrast to quantitative laboratory results, food-insecure patients were more likely to self-report previous diagnoses of dyslipidemia.
CONCLUSIONS
Although current data do not suggest an association between FIS and dyslipidemia, more longitudinal studies and studies targeting women, children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes are needed to further address this issue.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Dyslipidemias; Female; Food Insecurity; Humans; Lipids
PubMed: 35896471
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.04.210413 -
Pain Research & Management 2010Peer relationships during childhood and adolescence are acknowledged to be negatively impacted by chronic pain; however, to date there has been no synthesis of this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Peer relationships during childhood and adolescence are acknowledged to be negatively impacted by chronic pain; however, to date there has been no synthesis of this literature.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review existing literature describing the social functioning and peer relationships in children and adolescents with recurrent or continuous chronic pain.
METHODS
Articles on peer relationship factors studied in samples of children and adolescents with chronic pain published in English or French were identified using EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Two independent reviewers performed initial screenings using study titles and abstracts, and reviewed each eligible article in full.
RESULTS
Of 1740 published papers yielded by the search, 42 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. Nine studies had peer relationship investigation as the primary purpose of the study; the remaining 33 examined peer relationships as part of a broader study. A range of specific and more general measures was used to examine peer relationships. Across studies, children and adolescents with chronic pain were reported to have fewer friends, be subjected to more peer victimization, and were viewed as more isolated and less likeable than healthy peers.
CONCLUSIONS
Children and adolescents with chronic pain have peer relationship deficiencies. However, the majority of studies to date measure peer relationships as part of a broader study and, thus, little attention has been paid specifically to peer relationships in this group. Additional research examining the quality of peer relationships of children and adolescents with chronic pain, as well as development of measures specifically designed to assess these relationships, is needed.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Chronic Disease; Databases, Factual; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pain; Peer Group; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Social Adjustment
PubMed: 20195556
DOI: 10.1155/2010/820407