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Quasi-experimental Studies in the Fields of Infection Control and Antibiotic Resistance, Ten Years Later: A Systematic Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2018

Rotana Alsaggaf ,
Lyndsay M. O’Hara ,
Kristen A. Stafford ,
Surbhi Leekha ,
Anthony D. Harris  and
for the CDC Prevention Epicenters Program
Rotana Alsaggaf
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Lyndsay M. O’Hara
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Kristen A. Stafford
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Surbhi Leekha
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Anthony D. Harris*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
*
Address correspondence to Anthony D. Harris, MD, MPH, 685 W Baltimore St, MSTF 330, Baltimore, MD 21201 (aharris@epi.umaryland.edu).
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review of quasi-experimental studies in the field of infectious diseases was published in 2005. The aim of this study was to assess improvements in the design and reporting of quasi-experiments 10 years after the initial review. We also aimed to report the statistical methods used to analyze quasi-experimental data.

DESIGN

Systematic review of articles published from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014, in 4 major infectious disease journals.

METHODS

Quasi-experimental studies focused on infection control and antibiotic resistance were identified and classified based on 4 criteria: (1) type of quasi-experimental design used, (2) justification of the use of the design, (3) use of correct nomenclature to describe the design, and (4) statistical methods used.

RESULTS

Of 2,600 articles, 173 (7%) featured a quasi-experimental design, compared to 73 of 2,320 articles (3%) in the previous review (P<.01). Moreover, 21 articles (12%) utilized a study design with a control group; 6 (3.5%) justified the use of a quasi-experimental design; and 68 (39%) identified their design using the correct nomenclature. In addition, 2-group statistical tests were used in 75 studies (43%); 58 studies (34%) used standard regression analysis; 18 (10%) used segmented regression analysis; 7 (4%) used standard time-series analysis; 5 (3%) used segmented time-series analysis; and 10 (6%) did not utilize statistical methods for comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

While some progress occurred over the decade, it is crucial to continue improving the design and reporting of quasi-experimental studies in the fields of infection control and antibiotic resistance to better evaluate the effectiveness of important interventions.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:170–176

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 39 , Issue 2 , February 2018 , pp. 170 - 176
Copyright
© 2018 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved 

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References

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