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Published in: Systematic Reviews 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Protocol

Screening for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea in primary health care: protocol for systematic review

Authors: Jennifer Pillay, Ainsley Moore, Prinon Rahman, Gabriel Lewin, Donna Reynolds, John Riva, Guyléne Thériault, Brett Thombs, Brenda Wilson, Joan Robinson, Amanda Ramdyal, Geneviéve Cadieux, Robin Featherstone, Anne N. Burchell, Jo-Anne Dillon, Ameeta Singh, Tom Wong, Marion Doull, Greg Traversy, Susan Courage, Tara MacGregor, Cydney Johnson, Ben Vandermeer, Lisa Hartling

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections in Canada. Existing national guidance on screening for these infections was not based on a systematic review, and recommendations as well as implementation considerations (e.g., population groups, testing and case management) should be explicit and reflect the quality of evidence. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize research on screening for these infections in sexually active individuals within primary care. We will also review evidence on how people weigh the relative importance of the potential outcomes from screening, rated as most important by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) with input from patients and stakeholders.

Methods

We have developed a peer-reviewed strategy to comprehensively search MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for English and French literature published 1996 onwards. We will also search trial registries and conference proceedings, and mine references lists. Screening, study selection, risk of bias assessments, and quality of findings across studies (for each outcome) will be independently undertaken by two reviewers with consensus for final decisions. Data extraction will be conducted by one reviewer and checked by another for accuracy and completeness. The CTFPHC and content experts will provide input for decisions on study design (i.e., when and whether to include uncontrolled studies for screening effectiveness) and for interpretation of the findings.

Discussion

The results section of the review will include a description of all studies, results of all analyses, including planned subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and evidence profiles and summary of findings tables incorporating assessment based on Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methods to communicate our confidence in the estimates of effect. We will compare our findings to others and discuss limitations of the review and available literature. The findings will be used by the CTFPHC—supplemented by consultations with patients and stakeholders and from other sources on issues of feasibility, acceptability, costs/resources, and equity―to inform recommendations on screening to support primary health care providers in delivering preventive care.

Systematic review registration

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number CRD42018100733.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Screening for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea in primary health care: protocol for systematic review
Authors
Jennifer Pillay
Ainsley Moore
Prinon Rahman
Gabriel Lewin
Donna Reynolds
John Riva
Guyléne Thériault
Brett Thombs
Brenda Wilson
Joan Robinson
Amanda Ramdyal
Geneviéve Cadieux
Robin Featherstone
Anne N. Burchell
Jo-Anne Dillon
Ameeta Singh
Tom Wong
Marion Doull
Greg Traversy
Susan Courage
Tara MacGregor
Cydney Johnson
Ben Vandermeer
Lisa Hartling
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-018-0904-5

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