Table 1 Quality appraisal of the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT)

Screening Questions

S1. Are there clear research questions?

0

0

1

1

1

1

S2. Do the collected data allow to address the research questions?

1

1

1

1

1

1

1. Qualitative study criteria

1.1. Is the qualitative approach appropriate to answer the research question?

1

1

1.2. Are the qualitative data collection methods adequate to address the research question?

1

1

1.3. Are the findings adequately derived from the data?

1

1

1.4. Is the interpretation of results sufficiently substantiated by data?

1

1

1.5. Is there coherence between qualitative data sources, collection, analysis and interpretation?

1

1

3. Quantitative non-randomized study criteria

3.1. Are the participants representative of the target population?

1

1

3.2. Are measurements appropriate regarding both the outcome and intervention (or exposure)?

1

1

3.3. Are there complete outcome data?

1

1

3.4. Are the confounders accounted for in the design and analysis?

0

1

3.5. During the study period, is the intervention administered (or exposure occurred) as intended?

1

1

4. Quantitative

descriptive

4.1. Is the sampling strategy relevant to address the research question?

1

1

4.2. Is the sample representative of the target population?

0

0

4.3. Are the measurements appropriate?

1

1

4.4. Is the risk of nonresponse bias low?

0

0

4.5. Is the statistical analysis appropriate to answer the research question?

1

1

‡Quality Rating

5

5

5

6

5

7