Variations in the Design and Use of Attention Control Groups in Type 2 Diabetes Randomized Controlled Trials: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In type 2 diabetes (T2D) research, the phrase "attention control group" (ACGs) has been used with varying descriptions. We aimed to systematically review the variations in the design and use of ACGs for T2D studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Twenty studies utilizing ACGs were included in the final evaluation. Control group activities had the potential to influence the primary outcome of the study in 13 of the 20 articles. Prevention of contamination across groups was not mentioned in 45% of the articles. Eighty-five percent of articles met or somewhat met the criteria for having comparable activities between the ACG and intervention arms. Wide variations in descriptions and the lack of standardization have led to an inaccurate use of the phrase "ACGs" when describing the control arm of trials, indicating a need for future research with focus on the adoption of uniform guidelines for use of ACGs in T2D RCTs.

Perceptions of African American Women and Health Care Professionals Related to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the perceptions of African American women and health care professionals (HCPs) about factors that likely influence the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV among African American women. DESIGN: Prospective mixed methods. SETTING: Chicago, IL. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-eight participants included HCPs (n = 10) and African American women (n = 48). METHODS: Following the six steps of concept mapping, participants identified and rated factors they perceived to influence decisions to use PrEP among African American women. RESULTS: African American women generated a list of statements, and we grouped the statements into eight clusters: access, financial, best benefits, protection, medication, setbacks, network, and fear. HCPs ranked having an HIV-positive partner as the most influential factor that affected African American women's decisions to use PrEP (network cluster). African American women ranked ability to prevent HIV when condom use cannot be negotiated as their top reason (best benefits cluster) for using PrEP. CONCLUSION: African American women wanted to know how they could protect themselves and were open to using PrEP. For African American women considering the use of PrEP, the most influential factors were related to the benefits and accessibility of PrEP. HCPs should know that African American women are not afraid to discuss HIV risk and testing.