Category Archives: Epidemiology
Impact of exercise training on symptoms of depression, physical activity level and social participation in people living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Symptoms of depression are prevalent in people living with human immune deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA), and worsened by lack of physical activity/exercises, leading to restriction in social...
Women living with HIV and dual contraceptive use in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Despite different preventive strategies that have been implemented in the country, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is still significantly increasing in Ethiopia. The concurrence of HIV and unintended pregnancy makes...
Viral load monitoring for people living with HIV in the era of test and treat: progress made and challenges ahead—A systematic review
BACKGROUND: In 2016, we conducted a systematic review to assess the feasibility of treatment monitoring for people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low and middle-income countries...
ABO blood groups and risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
The last few decades have seen a pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. ABO blood groups are anthropological and...
Incidence and risk factors of atrial fibrillation and atrial arrhythmias in people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases in people living with HIV (PLWH) are becoming increasingly relevant as HIV/AIDS has become more treatable with the advent of highly efficacious antiretroviral therapy. Previous studies suggested...
The effect of antiretroviral therapy with high central nervous system penetration on HIV-related cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Chronic complications are a significant concern for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) infection. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are prevalent in PLWHA. Yet, the efficacy of medications that penetrate the central...
Risk of hepatitis C reinfection following successful therapy among people living with HIV: A global systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression
Background: The benefits of direct-acting antivirals towards the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people living with HIV are decreased when individuals are reinfected with HCV following treatment. We aimed...
Diagnostic accuracy of WHO screening criteria to guide lateral-flow lipoarabinomannan testing among HIV-positive inpatients: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis
Background: WHO recommends urine lateral-flow lipoarabinomannan (LF-LAM) testing with AlereLAM in HIV-positive inpatients only if screening criteria are met. We assessed the performance of WHO screening criteria and alternative screening tests/strategies...
A review of sexual transmitted infection rates among sexually assaulted patients that present for care
BACKGROUND: Patients who experience sexual assault are at risk of adverse health outcomes including sexually transmitted infections (STI) and often present to various healthcare centers for post-assault care. Unfortunately, there...
Catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective To estimate the incidence of, and trends in, catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We systematically reviewed the scientific and grey literature to identify population-based studies on catastrophic...
Strategies to improve HIV care outcomes for people with HIV who are out of care
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of five intervention strategies: patient navigation, appointment help/alerts, psychosocial support, transportation/appointment accompaniment, and data-to-care on HIV care outcomes among persons...
