Quantitative Research Critique - HIV/ AIDS Infection

Running head: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH CRITIQUE 1
Quantitative Research Critique
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Quantitative Research Critique

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH CRITIQUE
Summary
The first article by Cluver, Orkin, Meinck, Boyes, & Sherr (2016) highlights structural
drivers as the underlining reason behind the increased rate of HIV/ AIDS infection in South
Africa. The article pinpoints poverty, informal housing, food insecurity, and violence as the
structural drivers aiding HIV/AIDS spread among adolescents. The study intended to determine
how "cash plus care" helps in reducing youth vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infections. Moreover,
the article sort to unravel the workability of unconditional cash transfers. Besides the two
objectives, the article also sorts to determine how "cash plus care" can be vital in cushioning
adolescents from infection risks.
In corroborating the laid down objectives, the authors applied the following guiding
research questions. "How do unconditional cash transfers work?" (Cluver et al., 2016). "What are
the effects of augmenting cash provision with social care? (Cluver et al., 2016). Lastly, can "cash
plus care" help reduce the risks of contracting infections amongst the most vulnerable
adolescents? (Cluver et al., 2016).
The study is significant in nursing practice since it postulates viable interventions for
combating HIV/AIDS. For instance, the study highlights increased psychological problems as
the reason behind increased infections. Such findings help nurses to strategize on viable ways of
combating the disease. Moreover, the study helps illustrate the importance of "cash plus care"
and unconditional cash transfers in healthcare. With this information, nurses and stakeholders
can further strategize on ways of helping adolescents combat the illness.
The second article by Cluver, Orkin, Yakubovich, & Sherr (2016), highlights HIV/AIDS
infections in sub-Saharan as a significant problem that needs mitigation. The authors pinpoint
socio-economic factors as the main factors aiding the pandemic. Therefore, the study solely
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QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH CRITIQUE
intends to identify social protection strategies that can effectively help to prevent HIV/AIDS
infections among adolescents. The study also seeks to determine whether a combination of social
protection strategies can have immense outcomes amongst youths in South Africa. Parental
control, free schools, and cash transfers are some of the social protection entities that the study
postulates to aid in preventing HIV/AIDS infection among youths.
The study has relevance in nursing practice since it highlights education and psychosocial
support as some of the critical social protection strategies that help in combating HIV/AIDS in
South Africa. Such information is crucial in assisting nurses in developing targeted interventions
for reducing HIV spread in society.
How Studies Support the PICOT Question
How do adolescents diagnosed with HIV perceive social support, protection, and medical
gaps during the last decade? The first article helps in answering the PICOT question mentioned
above by exhibiting how structural factors aid in the spread of HIV infections. This information
helps in explaining the issue of perceived social support postulated in the PICOT question. As
corroborated by Cluver et al. (2016), the application of social support measures resulted in
reduced risks of HIV infection in the sampled population. Therefore, the study will be used to
identify how adolescents diagnosed with HIV, perceive social support when provided with free
meals, education, and grants.
The second article aims to determine the social protection strategies and their effect in
combating HIV/AIDS. The sole purpose of this article is in tandem with the PICOT question's
need to determine how adolescents react to social protection. For instance, the study
corroborated that boys manifested a reduced probability of engaging in incautious sex from
18.7% to 7.5% when subjected to teacher support and free schooling programs (Cluver et al.,
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