title: The HIV Modes of Transmission model: a systematic review of its findings and adherence to guidelines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The HIV Modes of Transmission (MOT) model estimates the annual fraction of new HIV infections (FNI) acquired by different risk groups. It was designed to guide country-specific HIV prevention policies. To determine if the MOT produced context-specific recommendations, we analyzed MOT results by region and epidemic type, and explored the factors (e.g. data used to estimate parameter inputs, adherence to guidelines) influencing the differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and UNAIDS reports, and contacted UNAIDS country directors for published MOT results from MOT inception (2003) to 25 September 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We retrieved four journal articles and 20 UNAIDS reports covering 29 countries. In 13 countries, the largest FNI (range 26 to 63%) was acquired by the low-risk group and increased with low-risk population size. The FNI among female sex workers (FSWs) remained low (median 1.3%, range 0.04 to 14.4%), with little variability by region and epidemic type despite variability in sexual behaviour. In India and Thailand, where FSWs play an important role in transmission, the FNI among FSWs was 2 and 4%, respectively. In contrast, the FNI among men who have sex with men (MSM) varied across regions (range 0.1 to 89%) and increased with MSM population size. The FNI among people who inject drugs (PWID, range 0 to 82%) was largest in early-phase epidemics with low overall HIV prevalence. Most MOT studies were conducted and reported as per guidelines but data quality remains an issue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although countries are generally performing the MOT as per guidelines, there is little variation in the FNI (except among MSM and PWID) by region and epidemic type. Homogeneity in MOT FNI for FSWs, clients and low-risk groups may limit the utility of MOT for guiding country-specific interventions in heterosexual HIV epidemics.
authors: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK; zarashubber@gmail.com.
authors: Zara
authors: Z
authors: Shubber
authors: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK; St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Sharmistha
authors: S
authors: Mishra
authors: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: Juan F
authors: JF
authors: Vesga
authors: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: Marie-Claude
authors: MC
authors: Boily
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: HIV; HIV infection; HIV prevention policy; Modes of Transmission model; epidemic appraisal; key populations