Critical Appraisal of a Paper (Hepatitis B and C virus co-infection in Nigerian patients with HIV infection) - Essay Example

Adewole Olufemi et al. Hepatitis B and C virus co-infection in Nigerian patients with HIV infection. 2009. – A Critical AppraisalRecommended decision about the articleAcceptance subject to minor revision - This research article is quite valid and reliable. However, it will only need minor revision, as a few aspects in the methodology, presentation and formating will need to be adjusted. This will ensure more clarity and authenticity of the article.    General Assessment Rankings from HIGH (5) to LOW (1):Originality (4) The originality of this research article is quite commendable, and stands above average.

This study is the first to be conducted in the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Previously, evidence that HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV co-infection prevalence was at an increase, based on mainstream evidence. The fact that the study population was adopted from the same hospital means that this study was committed to using its own approach, unique from other studies. Strength of conclusions as supported by the data (3) The authors made a nice conclusion, which is all-inclusive. For instance, they have identified some of the limitations, which are present in their research.

This helps the audience of this research to interpret the research findings in the context in which the researchers conducted it. Additionally, they have identified the importance of this study to their hospital, and as it applies to the wider society. Significance to the field (3) This research is a great achievement, especially to the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria, considering that this is the first research of its kind to be conducted in this hospital. This will help the doctors and other caregivers to predict outcomes of different cases related with HIV and the two types of Hepatitis.

Furthermore, although this research was not conducted in the communities, these findings can still be of help to the people in the grassroots level. This will also help in sensitizing the HIV infected members of the society to test for the different types of Hepatitis, considering the implications they have on HIV patients.Overall rating (3) This research article is not perfect, but it rates above average. The presentation is well above average, and the clarity is incredible. Additionally, the analysis of the research findings is in-depth, highly insightful, and quite easy to understand.

Comments to the EditorAlthough this research presentation is quite commendable, there are some important aspects, which were omitted. First, the literature review section is missing. Normally, it is appropriate if a research includes a review of literature. In addition, considering that this was a first research in this field for this hospital, literature review would have helped this research through offering a direction, and predicting expected outcomes of the research. By comparing the works of other authors in the similar topic, this would have helped identify the disparities in the research findings.

Additionally, it would be more presentable if the conclusion part would have been included in the format. This is for the purpose of enhanced clarity in the presentation. This also will help the audience of this research, not to assume their own conclusion, which could easily lead to misinterpretation of the research findings. Comments to the Authors This study has merit, but a few changes will improve it. First, the methods used in the study could be re-evaluated. In addition, in order to make the research more influential, increasing its power through the enlargement of the study population should be considered.

For instance, instead of focusing on the patients in the hospital only, those patients in the external environment could as well have been considered.