Table 2.

Summary of Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) results by study design (n=79).

Screening Questions (all study types) (n=79) *If no or can’t tell for screening questions, study not further categorized/evaluated
	Yes	No	Can’t Tell
S1. Are there clear research questions?	69 (87.3%)	8 (10.1%)	2 (2.5%)
S2. Do the collected data allow to address the research questions?	69 (87.3%)	5 (6.3%)	5 (6.3%)
Did not meet MMAT screening criteria n=10 (12.7%)
Qualitative n=5 (6.3%)
Methodological quality criteria	Yes	No	Can’t Tell
1.1 Is the qualitative approach appropriate to answer the research question	5 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
1.2 Are the qualitative data collection methods adequate to address the research question?	5 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
1.3 Are the findings adequately derived from the data?	5 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
1.4. Is the interpretation of results sufficiently substantiated by data?	5 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
1.5. Is there coherence between qualitative data sources, collection, analysis and interpretation?	5 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
Quantitative randomized controlled trials n=3 (3.8%)
2.1. Is randomization appropriately performed?	1 (33.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (66.7%)
2.2. Are the groups comparable at baseline?	3 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
2.3. Are there complete outcome data?	3 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%
2.4. Are outcome assessors blinded to the intervention provided?	2 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (33.3%)
2.5 Did the participants adhere to the assigned intervention?	2 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (33.3%)
Quantitative non-randomized n=53 (67.1%)
3.1. Are the participants representative of the target population?	45 (84.9%)	2 (3.8%)	6 (11.3%)
3.2. Are measurements appropriate regarding both the outcome and intervention (or exposure)?	47 (88.7%)	2 (3.8%)	4 (7.6%)
3.3. Are there complete outcome data?	39 (73.6%)	13 (24.5%)	1 (1.9%)
3.4. Are the confounders accounted for in the design and analysis?	17 (32.1%)	36 (67.9%)	0 (0%)
3.5. During the study period, is the intervention administered (or exposure occurred) as intended?	25 (47.2%)	1 (1.9%)	27 (50.9%)
Quantitative descriptive n=2 (2.5%)
4.1. Is the sampling strategy relevant to address the research question?	2 (100.0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
4.2. Is the sample representative of the target population?	1 (50.0%)	0 (0%)	1 (50.0%)
4.3. Are the measurements appropriate?	1 (50.0%)	1 (50.0%)	0 (0%)
4.4. Is the risk of nonresponse bias low?	2 (100.0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
4.5. Is the statistical analysis appropriate to answer the research question?	2 (100.0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Mixed methods n=6 (7.6%)
5.1. Is there an adequate rationale for using a mixed methods design to address the research question?	3 (50.0%)	3 (50.0%)	0 (0%)
5.2. Are the different components of the study effectively integrated to answer the research question?	5 (83.3 %)	1 (16.7%)	0 (0%)
5.3. Are the outputs of the integration of qualitative and quantitative components adequately interpreted?	5 (83.3%)	1 (16.7%)	0 (0%)
5.4. Are divergences and inconsistencies between quantitative and qualitative results adequately addressed?	4 (66.7%)	1 (16.7%)	1 (16.7%)
5.5. Do the different components of the study adhere to the quality criteria of each tradition of the methods involved?	4 (66.7%)	2 (33.3%)	0 (0%)