Table 1

Appraisal scoring system summary

Score*
Generic study quality: minimisation of bias, confounding and chance
 Selection bias
  Sample comparable to source population0–3
  % Eligible population participated0–3
  Accounted for missing data0–3
 Measurement bias
  Outcome2–3
  Appropriate measure of association1 or 3
 Confounding
  Potential confounders taken into account† 0–3
 Chance
  Sufficient study power0–3
Maximum possible score21
High rating cut-off>18
Low rating cut-off<15
Topical and population relevance
 Topic
  Study's primary aim0–3
 Population
  Setting1–3
  Ethnicity0–2
  Age1 or 3
Maximum possible score11
High rating cut-off>9
Low rating cut-off<5
Methodological relevance: measurement of exposure
  Choice of dimension
   Core socioeconomic circumstance dimension?0–3
   Categories generalisable across populations?0–3
  Analysis
   Applicable to population?0–3
   Discriminates within population?0–3
  Data collection
   Data completeness0–3
Maximum possible score15
High rating cut-off>13
Low rating cut-off<11

  • ↵* Where scores do not range from 0, this reflects the application of review exclusion criteria (eg, studies where data on the incidence, prevalence and positivity of chlamydia were scored 0 on outcome and excluded).

  • ↵† Included measures of individual sexual behavior: condom use and/or number of partners or rate of partner change.