TABLE 1—
Type of Study | Units of Treatment | Delivery Mechanism for Intervention | Compliance With Agent by Recipients | Comments |
A. Clinical efficacy trials | Individuals | Ideal | Ideal | Classical clinical trials of drugs, vaccines, etc. |
B. Public health regimen efficacy | Clusters of individualsa | Ideal | Ideal | Same as above, but delivered to clusters rather than individuals |
C. Public health delivery efficacy | Clusters of individuals | Ideal | Best practice | Ideal delivery is ensured, and compliance is actively promoted according to best practice |
D. Public health program efficacy | Clusters of individuals | Best practice | Best practice | Randomized allocation of geographical areas to best practice implementation |
E. Public health program effectiveness | Clusters of individuals | Routine | Routine | Randomized allocation of geographic areas to routine implementation |
aFor example, geographically defined administrative units, or catchment areas of health facilities.