Category Archives: Epidemiology
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...
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...
Prevalence and incidence of stroke among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective: We aimed to obtain more precise estimates of stroke to address the wide variation of stroke burden among people with HIV (PWH) in different clinical settings. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis....
Serological response following COVID-19 vaccines in patients living with HIV: A dose-response meta-analysis
To quantify the pooled rate and risk ratio of seroconversion following the uncomplete, complete, or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines in patients living with HIV. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library...
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...
Clinical features of Cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and efficacy of the current therapy
Background: Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) is the most common and sight-threatening opportunistic retinal infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and several controversies remain to be settled. We aimed to summarize...
Weight and metabolic outcomes in naïve HIV patients treated with integrase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: The use of integrase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy could be associated with worse weight and metabolic outcomes in patients with HIV infection. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched from inception to...
The effects of cash transfer programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention and care outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies
Background: Poverty and social inequality are risk factors for poor health outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS. In addition to eligibility, cash transfer programmes can be divided into two categories: those with...
Prevalence and variability of HIV/AIDS-associated neurocognitive impairments in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: HIV/AIDS-associated neurocognitive impairments negatively affect treatment adherence, viral load suppression, CD4 count, functionality, and the overall quality of life of people with seropositive status. However, huge variability is observed across...
Lifetime prevalence and adherence rate of cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Women living with HIV (WLWH) are more likely to develop cervical cancer. Screening and available healthcare can effectively reduce its incidence and mortality rates. We aimed to summarize the...
