What is the true incidence of dental pathology in the total joint arthroplasty population?

One million total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) are performed annually in the United States. The incidence of oral disease has not been documented in this population. To understand the scope of disease, a descriptive longitudinal population-based study sought to define the true incidence of dental pathology in the TJA population.

Analysis of a database of materials for HIV prevention program evaluation.

Program evaluation technology transfer is the transfer of information on program evaluation from research to practitioners. There have been anecdotal reports of a lack of technology transfer materials related to HIV prevention program evaluation, especially materials usable by persons without extensive training in evaluation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed available program evaluation materials relevant to HIV prevention and developed a database of those materials.

Building evaluation capacity for HIV prevention programs.

HIV prevention programs, even those using science-based interventions, need to conduct evaluation to support the implementation and transfer of effective interventions, account for services, demonstrate effectiveness, and improve programs. The Program Evaluation Research Branch of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assists health department grantees and other CDC grantees by providing evaluation guidance, technical assistance (TA), and training in order to build their HIV prevention program evaluation capacity. Together, these evaluation resources assist grantees with overall implementation of evaluation and identify specific types of evaluation appropriate to each stage of intervention development.

Virological and immunological profiles among patients with undetectable viral load followed prospectively for 24 months.

Objective: To quantify HIV-RNA in plasma, in lymphoid tissue and proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and to relate these to immunological markers among patients with plasma viral load counts of
Methods: A prospective study of one hundred and three patients was undertaken with an inclusion criteria of plasma viral load of View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The value of engaging stakeholders in planning and implementing evaluations.

Stakeholder participation in evaluation has surfaced as a major factor contributing to the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. In recognition of the multiple benefits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has used a framework to involve stakeholders in the evaluation of its programs. This article describes the framework used by the CDC and provides examples of four studies that involved various stakeholders from health departments, community-based organizations, and community planning groups to national and regional organizations in designing and implementing evaluations that yielded results useful for program improvement.