To statistically evaluate publication bias, the Egger weighted regression and Begg’s rank correlation test methods were used (a two-sided p≤0.05 was regarded as suggestive of statistically significant publication bias), and the funnel plot was also used graphically (visually) to represent the presence of publication bias, 45 based on the presumption that, in the absence of publication bias, the effect sizes of all the studies are normally distributed about the middle of a funnel plot, the trim-and-fill analysis was also performed to evaluate for and correct any publication bias. Moreover, the finding of this systematic review and meta-analysis was lower than a study done in India (92.6%),24 a study done in Brazil where patient satisfaction with HIV/AIDS health services was 81% and 86% in hospitals and health units, respectively,22 with another Brazilian study in which 96.7% of individuals satisfied with healthcare services after 3 months of initiation of ART,77 and with study conducted in Russia, where 86% of the sample reported a high degree of satisfaction with HIV care delivery.78 This finding was also lower than a prospective observational study conducted at PEPFAR-supported clinics in four African countries, in which 89.6% of PLWHIV reported being satisfied with their care,79 with a study done in Tanzania (92.3%),80 with a study done in South Africa (98%)81 and Cameroon (91.2%).82 Differences in diagnostic facilities, service provision, the availability and accessibility of free medications, availability of support services, the establishment of feedback mechanism, implementation of health policy and governance, community engagement, the number of qualified and sufficient health professionals, and the integration of services may all contribute to regional variations in the level of satisfaction with HIV/AIDS treatment and care services.85 In addition, variations in the study quality, confounding and differences in the methods used to measure the level of satisfaction with HIV/AIDS treatment and care services in the primary studies (ie, no widely accepted definition of patient satisfaction) or measurement methodology,15 the difference in the data collection methods, and analysis techniques; might all lead to varied pooled estimates and a source of high heterogeneity.
Author: Hareru, H. E., Ashuro, Z., Debela, B. G., Sisay, D., Ashenafi, E., Abebe, M., Mamo, T. T.
Published at: 2025-02-19 23:37:51
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