Background: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) analyses scientific evidence for the efficacy/effectiveness of health interventions. It aims to identify and implement available interventions that have proved to be the best. This concept is now soundly established for clinical interventions, but just breaking for prevention, particularly when--as in HIV infection--transmission is associated to private behaviour.
Methods: A search for studies evaluating the effects of HIV prevention interventions. All studies were critically evaluated.
Results: Relevant evidence for the effects of the main specific HIV prevention interventions is reviewed, according to transmission group and study design, focusing on its methodological strength and weakness, and paying special attention to experimental research.
Conclusions: A wider debate on scientific evidence for public health interventions is proposed, trying to promote feasible and efficient EBM methods in HIV prevention research.