Cochrane

Cochrane researchers conducted a review of the effects of school-based interventions for reducing HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy in adolescents. After searching for relevant trials up to 7 April 2016, they included eight trials that had enrolled 55,157 adolescents. Why is this important and how might school-based programmes ...

Background For most women who have epilepsy, continuing their medication during pregnancy is important for their health. Over the last 25 years, research has shown that children exposed to these medications in the womb can be at a higher risk of having a malformation or birth defect. Research question This review aimed to understand whether exposure ...

Background The presence of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, at wound sites following surgery can result in surgical site infections for patients. Surgical site infections can result in increased healthcare costs, delays in wound healing and pain. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria or prevent them from developing. Antibiotics can be taken ...

Review question Cochrane researchers reviewed the evidence about the effectiveness and safety of aspirin used with the aim of increasing the chance of live birth in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Background Aspirin has been commonly used in an attempt to increase the chance of live birth in women undergoing ART. However, ...

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which people develop blood clots in their veins. It includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). VTE occurs in more than 10% of patients in hospital and is the third most frequent cause of death among them. Therefore, effective prevention is necessary ...

Bottom line We found that breastfeeding before and during vaccination injections helped to reduce pain in most babies up to the age of one year. Background Needles are used for babies' early childhood vaccinations and medical care during childhood illnesses. These are essential, but painful. They cause distress for the babies and often their parents/caregivers, ...

Review question What are the effects of oral hygiene care on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation in hospital intensive care units (ICUs)? We aimed to summarise all the available appropriate research in order to identify evidence-based care for these vulnerable patients. Background Critically ...

Background Doctors and healthcare professionals often give blood transfusions to people after loss of blood from surgery, bleeding, or medical illnesses. Blood is a limited resource, so for this reason, and because some low-income countries do not test the blood used in transfusions for the presence of dangerous viruses such as HIV or hepatitis, it ...

Review question We wished to determine if any educational interventions have helped people with sickle cell disease and their caregivers to improve their understanding of the disease, recognize its complications, improve their adherence to treatment, affect how they utilize healthcare and improve other social and psychological problems that they might ...

Review question We reviewed the evidence about the effect of psychosocial treatment, which encompasses a wide variety of strategies that aim to change behaviour and support adults who are affected by harmful use, abuse or dependence on cocaine or amphetamines, including MDMA (ecstasy). Background Globally, cocaine and amphetamines are the two main ...