Category Archives: Epidemiology
Contribution of low CD4 cell counts and high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load to the efficacy of preferred first-line antiretroviral regimens for treating HIV infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
We assessed wWe assessed whether low CD4 count and high viral load (VL) affect the response to currently preferred ART. We performed a systematic review of randomized, controlled clinical trials...
The association between HIV diagnosis disclosure and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Nine in ten of the world’s 1.74 million adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (ALHIV) live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and poor viral suppression...
Microbiological study of periodontal disease in populations with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: No systematic review/meta-analysis has been conducted on the microbiological profile associated with the occurrence of periodontitis in patients with HIV. The aim of this study was to evaluate the...
Counselling behavioural interventions for HIV, STI and viral hepatitis among key populations: A systematic review of effectiveness, values and preferences, and cost studies
INTRODUCTION: Key populations (sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed settings, and trans and gender diverse individuals) are disproportionately...
The effect of HIV prevalence, CD4 counts and disease severity on the outcome of total knee arthroplasty for haemophilic arthropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose: End-stage knee arthropathy is a recognised complication of haemophilia. It is often treated by total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which is more technically challenging in patients with haemophilia (PwH). It remains...
Barriers and facilitators to anti-retroviral therapy adherence among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) significantly affects adolescents globally, with the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reporting a high burden of the disease. HIV testing, treatment, and retention to care are low...
Efficacy and safety of long-acting cabotegravir versus oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
WHO guidelines recommend daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV in people at high risk of HIV infection. However, due to social,...
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control of hypertension, and availability of hypertension services for patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is faced with a dual burden of hypertension and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this review we sought to determine the prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension...
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of statin treatment in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy
The rate of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections globally is alarming. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life among this group of patients, ARTs are associated with...
The prevalence of anemia among human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals in East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients face several hematological abnormalities. Of these abnormalities, anemia is the most common one. Africa has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, especially...
Alcohol use and associated risk factors among female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Due to its widespread use in the sex work industry, female sex workers (FSWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol use and associated...
Antivirals for prevention of hepatitis B virus mother-to-child transmission in human immunodeficiency virus positive pregnant women co-infected with hepatitis B virus
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection promotes an aggressive disease course of HBV infection. In the only available non-Cochrane systematic review on antiviral therapy during pregnancy for...
