Table 2 A summary of all guidelines identified in the search and their use of qualitative evidence
From: Use of qualitative research in World Health Organisation guidelines: a document analysis
Guideline | Year | Retrieval process | Type of qualitative research (n=) | Quality appraisal by guideline | Did qualitative research inform the question? | Did qualitative research inform feasibility? | Did qualitative research inform acceptability? | Did qualitative research inform values and preferences? | Did qualitative research inform equity? | Did qualitative research inform the implementation considerations | Total number of domains that draw on qualitative research |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infectious diseases guidelines | |||||||||||
 Screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention, second edition: use of mRNA tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) [28] | 2021 | Commissioned | QES (2) | None for QES | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | 2 |
 HIV prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and monitoring [27] | 2021 | Unclear | Primary study (26) and QES (7) | None for primary studies or QES | Yes | No | Yes; 9/99 recommendations | Yes; 1/99 recommendations | Yes; 1/99 recommendations | Yes | 4 |
 Management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections [45] | 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Preventive chemotherapy for the control of Taenia solium taeniasis [46] | 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Hepatitis C virus self-testing [47] | 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | 0 |
 Plague management: revised recommendations for the use of rapid diagnostic tests, fluoroquinolones for case management and personal protective equipment for prevention of post-mortem transmission [48] | 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Infant feeding in areas of Zika virus transmission [31] | 2021 | Commissioned | QES (2) | Quality appraisal for studies included in QES | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | 2 |
 Antigen-detection in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection: interim guidance | 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Mass drug administration of azithromycin to children under 5 years of age to promote childhood survival [49] | 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus [50] | 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Consolidated HIV strategic information guidelines: driving impact through programme monitoring and management [51] | 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Management of pregnant and breastfeeding women in the context of Ebola virus disease [52] | 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
 Diagnosing and managing disseminated histoplasmosis among people living with HIV [53] | 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | No | No | No | No | No | No | 0 |
Maternal and newborn health guidelines | |||||||||||
 Antiplatelet agents for the prevention of preeclampsia [20] | 2021 | Searched | QES (1) | GRADE CERQual | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 |
 Antenatal care recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience. Nutrition interventions update: Zinc supplementation [21] | 2021 | Unclear | QES (2) | GRADE CERQual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 4 |
 Vaginal preparation with antiseptic agents for women undergoing caesarean section [30] | 2021 | Commissioned | QES (2) | GRADE CERQual | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | 1 |
 Choice of antiseptic agent and method of application for preoperative skin preparation for caesarean section [54] | 2021 | Unclear | QES (1) Primary (3) | GRADE CERQual for QES but no quality appraisal for primary | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | 1 |
 Routine antibiotic prophylaxis for women undergoing operative vaginal birth [55] | 2021 | Unclear | QES (1) | GRADE CERQual for QES | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | 1 |
 Prophylactic antibiotics for women undergoing caesarean section [56] | 2021 | Unclear | QES (1) Primary (1) | GRADE CERQual for QES but no quality appraisal for primary | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | 1 |
 Uterine balloon tamponade for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage [32] | 2021 | Commissioned | QES (2) | GRADE CERQual for QES but no quality appraisal for primary | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 |
 Maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience [25] | 2020 | Commissioned | QES (12); Primary study (7) | GRADE CERQual for QES and none for primary studies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 4 |
 Umbilical vein injection of oxytocin for the treatment of retained placenta [29] | 2020 | Commissioned | QES (2) | GRADE CERQual | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 4 |
 Drug treatment for non-severe hypertension in pregnancy [22] | 2020 | Commissioned | QES (2) Primary study (1) | GRADE CERQual for one QES and none for primary study | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 4 |
 Antenatal care recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience. Nutrition interventions update: micronutrient supplementation [19] | 2020 | Searched | QES (1) | GRADE CERQual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 4 |
 Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for prevention of preeclampsia and its complications [24] | 2020 | Unclear | QES (3); primary study (1) | GRADE CERQual for all QES and none for primary study | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 |
 Antenatal care recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience. Nutrition interventions update: vitamin D supplements during pregnancy [23] | 2020 | Unclear | QES (1) | GRADE CERQual | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 3 |
 Advance misoprostol distribution to pregnant women for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage [33] | 2020 | Search | QES (3) | GRADE CERQual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 4 |
 Routes of oxytocin administration for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth [34] | 2020 | Search | QES (2) | GRADE CERQual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 5 |