A comparison of review methods in tobacco prevention and control guidelines.
OBJECTIVE
To compare methods and conclusions of selected guidelines evaluating youth tobacco interventions.


METHODS
Eight reviews were compared regarding (a) search and assessment of evidence, (b) translation into recommendations, and (c) conclusions regarding tobacco cessation among youth.


RESULTS
Narrative and systematic review methods were employed. Five systematic reviews adopted different (a) criteria for study inclusion, (b) methods estimating summary outcome measurements, and (c) standards for concluding on the evidence of effectiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence reviews provide useful summaries, conclusions, and recommendations. Youth Tobacco Cessation: A Guide for Making Informed Decisions provides an inital systematic review of the evidence on effectiveness of youth tobacco use.
Hopkins
David P
DP
Community Guide Branch, Division of Prevention Research and Analytic Methods, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Portland, OR 97232-2162, USA. dhh4@cdc.gov
Briss
Peter A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States