Authors: Z A Kaufman T S Spencer D A Ross
Publish Date: 2012/10/25
Volume: 17, Issue: 3, Pages: 987-1001
Abstract
Interest in sport as a tool for behavioral HIV prevention has grown substantially in the past decade With dozens of organisations now using sportbased HIV prevention SBHP approaches and upcoming randomized controlled trials in South Africa and Zimbabwe there is a pressing need to synthesize previous evaluation findings and identify gaps in existing research A systematic review on the effectiveness of SBHP interventions was carried out identifying both published and unpublished studies on SBHP interventions that measured effectiveness quantitatively Study quality was scored using an adapted NewcastleOttawa Scale Randomeffects metaanalyses were carried out across studies for effects on six categories of HIVrelated outcomes The review identified 952 publications 21 of which met inclusion criteria No randomised controlled trials on SBHP interventions and no studies assessing biological outcomes were identified Mean study quality score was 51 SD 31 out of 20 points Overall strong evidence was observed for positive effects on HIVrelated knowledge RR = 126 95 CI = 115–137 stigma RR = 113 95 CI = 102–124 selfefficacy RR = 122 95 CI = 102–141 reported communication RR = 124 95 CI = 106–141 and reported recent condom use RR = 129 95 CI = 100–159 Generally the review found encouraging evidence for some shortterm effects but relied predominantly on lowquality studies More rigorous research on SBHP is needed to objectively assess effectiveness Randomised controlled trials could play an important role in guiding policies strategies and funding related to SBHPWe are grateful to the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission and the Rhodes Trust for the studentships supporting the first and second authors We also wish to acknowledge organizations that shared grey literature sources for the review In addition to the authors Lucie Cluver at Oxford University provided input into the review’s design and Helen Weiss provided input into the metaanalysis
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