Abstract:
Objective: This systematic review will identify and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of conditional cash
transfers for the uptake and retention in prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in pregnant and/or
breastfeeding women with HIV infection in low- and middle-income countries.
Introduction: Regardless of the effectiveness of prevention of mother-to-child transmission services, uptake and
retention in such services remains poor in low- and middle-income countries. This review intends to evaluate the
effectiveness of conditional cash transfers in improving uptake and retention in such services for pregnant and/or
breastfeeding women with HIV infection.
Inclusion criteria: This review will consider studies that evaluate the impact of conditional cash transfers on
uptake and retention in prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in pregnant and/or breastfeeding
women with HIV. Studies will compare conditional cash transfers with no intervention or other interventions. Only
studies carried out in low- and middle-income countries will be eligible for inclusion.
Methods: Eight databases will be searched. Publication status will not be considered as a criterion for inclusion.
Studies published in English since 2000 will be considered, because prevention of mother-to-child transmission
services were first introduced in that year. Following the search, two independent reviewers will screen titles and
abstracts against the inclusion criteria, critically appraise eligible studies for methodological quality using JBI critical
appraisal tools, and extract data from included studies using a standardized data extraction tool. Where possible,
quantitative data will be pooled using statistical meta-analysis.
