Applying the WHO-INTEGRATE evidence-to-decision framework in the development of WHO guidelines on parenting...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Systems Research
• Policy Development

Background:

• Developing guidelines for public health interventions requires complex systems thinking to understand dynamic effects.
• The WHO-INTEGRATE framework offers a structured approach to assess guideline complexities, including health benefits, harms, human rights, and socio-cultural acceptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a worked example of applying the WHO-INTEGRATE framework to develop WHO guidelines on parenting interventions for child maltreatment prevention.
• To share insights on the framework's value, challenges, and lessons learned during its application.

Main Methods:

• Describing the step-by-step application of the WHO-INTEGRATE framework.
• Gathering reflective insights through team sessions and a methodological workshop.

Main Results:

• The WHO-INTEGRATE framework guided guideline development through scoping, prioritizing criteria, evidence integration, and recommendation formulation.
• Challenges included significant time investment, broad criteria scope, integrating diverse evidence, and concise output translation.

Conclusions:

• The WHO-INTEGRATE framework was vital for integrating intervention effectiveness with implementation insights and broader societal implications.
• Evidence reviews informed discussions, recommendations, and clarified uncertainties, offering lessons for future guideline development.