Table 1

Selected characteristics of the included studies (n=36)

First authorYear publishedSettingInterventionsClass of HSSComparatorEffectiveness measureThematic emphases
Arora2017India and BangladeshTelephone management of pressure ulcers for people with spinal injuriesPlatformsControl arm of randomised controlled trialPatient QALYs pre/postPrecision, realism
Barasa2012KenyaDissemination of guidelines for paediatric emergency careWorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialAverage % improvement in 14 indicators between intervention and control sites; DALYs estimated by external sourceGenerality, realism
Broughton2013NigerQuality improvement to prevent postpartum haemorrhageGovernanceSame site(s) before interventionPPH cases, DALYs, deaths averted; compliance with birth management and newborn care standardsPrecision, realism
Burn2014All LICsPulse oximeter use during surgeryToolsModelled usual careDALYs averted (discounted; disability due to non-fatal hypoxic brain injury not included)Generality, precision
Buttorff2012IndiaTask-shifting for mental healthcare (provided by lay health workers)WorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialQALYs produced; work days gained; psychiatric symptom scorePrecision, realism
Chanda2011ZambiaTask-shifting to community health workers for treatment of uncomplicated malariaWorkforceUnblinded trial based on patient-preferred treatmentProperly identified and treated casesPrecision, realism
Chen2012NicaraguaVolunteer orthopaedic surgeon tripsPlatformsExpert evaluation of likely counterfactualsDALYs avertedPrecision, realism
Colbourn2015MalawiWomen’s community groups; quality improvement in maternal/child healthGovernanceControl arm of cluster randomised trialMaternal, neonatal, and perinatal mortality; DALYs averted (attributable to reduced mortality only)Precision, realism
Datiko2010EthiopiaTask-shifting to health extension workers for treatment of tuberculosisWorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialFully treated casesPrecision, realism
Do Prado2011BrazilTask-shifting to home-based guardians for directly observed treatment of tuberculosisWorkforceUnblinded trial based on patient-preferred treatmentFully treated casesPrecision, realism
Driessen2012MalawiImplementation of electronic medical recordsToolsModelled usual careLength of hospital stays, time transcribing medical records, laboratory usePrecision, realism
Gertler2014ArgentinaPay for performance incentives for use and quality of maternal and child health servicesGovernanceControl arms in natural experimentTen tracers indicating quality of maternal and child health services; DALYs for neonatal death and low birth weight onlyPrecision, realism
Hayford2014BangladeshExtended clinic hours, vaccinator training, active surveillance and community participation in vaccinationWorkforceSame site(s) before interventionFully immunised childrenPrecision, realism
Howlader2011BangladeshStrengthening maternal care in community health centresPlatformsModelled usual careMaternal mortalityGenerality, precision
Jansen2014IndiaFacilitating improved follow-up for cleft palate surgeriesPlatformsSame site(s) before interventionNumber of follow-up appointments keptPrecision, realism
Jo2019BangladeshEnhanced home-based maternal and neonatal carePlatformsControl arm of cluster randomised trialNeonatal deaths averted; DALYs avertedPrecision, realism
LeFevre2013BangladeshImproved training and mobilisation in neonatal community care with or without the addition of home-based carePlatformsControl arm of cluster randomised trialNeonatal deaths averted; DALYs avertedGenerality, realism
Lewycka2013MalawiTraining of women’s groups and peer counsellors for maternal and infant healthWorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialYears of life lostPrecision, realism
Luangasanatip2018ThailandHand-washing promotion among ICU healthcare workersWorkforceModelled usual careQALYs gained; deaths avertedGenerality, precision
Manasyan2010ZambiaTraining midwives in essential newborn careWorkforceSame site(s) before interventionLives saved; DALYs avertedPrecision, realism
Mathewos2017EthiopiaHome-based maternal and neonatal carePlatformsControl arm of cluster randomised trialNeonatal deaths averted; DALYs avertedPrecision, realism
Nandi2015IndiaScale-up of home-based neonatal carePlatformsModelled usual careIncidence of severe neonatal morbidity; neonatal deaths avertedGenerality, realism
Patouillard2011GhanaTask-shifting to community health workers for intermittent preventative treatment for malariaWorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialFully treated childrenPrecision, realism
Pitt2016GhanaHome-based neonatal carePlatformsControl arm of cluster randomised trialNeonatal mortality, (discounted 3% per year) life-years savedPrecision, realism
Prinja2018IndiaMobile electronic medical record programme with reminders for guidelines based careToolsControl arm of cluster randomised trialInfant deaths averted; episodes of illness averted; DALYs avertedPrecision, realism
Puett2012BangladeshTask-shifting to community health workers for treatment of severe acute malnutritionWorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialDeaths averted; DALYs avertedGenerality, realism
Sabin2012ZambiaTraining traditional birth attendants in neonatal emergenciesWorkforceControl arm of cluster randomised trialDeaths averted; DALYs avertedPrecision, realism
Seaman2020GBD-region specific averages of all LMICs within regionHep B vaccination with controlled temperature chain protocol and compact prefilled auto-disable syringesToolsModelled usual careDALYs avertedGenerality, precision
Shepard2020ZimbabweResults-based financing for maternal and child careGovernanceControl arm of cluster randomised trialQALYs based on lives saved, according to LiST toolGenerality, realism
Somigliana2011UgandaObstetrics-focused ambulance serviceToolsExpert evaluation of likely counterfactualsLife years savedPrecision, realism
Stenberg201967 LMICsStrengthening primary care and supporting, cross-sectoral interventions as part of universal health coverageGovernanceModelled usual careDeaths averted; gains in life expectancy at birthGenerality, precision
Tripathy2010IndiaWomen’s community groups teaching new mothers about health of self and infantPlatformsControl arm of cluster randomised trialLives saved; life-years savedPrecision, realism
Vossius2014TanzaniaTraining in neonatal resuscitationWorkforceSame site(s) before interventionLives saved; DALYs avertedPrecision, realism
Xue2012ChinaImplementation of electronic medical recordsToolsSame site(s) before interventionLength of hospital stay; infection rate; mortalityPrecision, realism
Yan2014ChinaTask-shifting to community organisations for HIV detection and careWorkforceSame site(s) before interventionCases of HIV detectedPrecision, realism
Zeng2018ZambiaResults-based financing for maternal and child careGovernanceControl arm of cluster randomised trialLives saved; QALYs based on lives savedPrecision, realism

  • DALYs, disability-adjusted life years; ICU, intensive care unit; LICs, low-income countries; LMICs, low-income and middle-income countries; QALYs, quality-adjusted life years.