Category Archives: Epidemiology
The prevalence of HIV-infected patients with virological suppression but a CD4+ T-cell count of ≤ 200 cells/mm3 after highly active antiretroviral therapy initiation: A meta-analysis
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) strongly inhibits HIV replication. However, many patients show suboptimal immune recovery (SIR), as defined by virological suppression (i.e. low viral load) with a CD4+ T-cell count...
Perinatal outcomes associated with combination antiretroviral therapy compared with monotherapy
Objectives: Increasing numbers of women living with HIV (WLHIV) worldwide receive combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) during pregnancy. We aimed to assess the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant WLHIV receiving...
Toxoplasma gondii infection in immunocompromised patients in Iran (2013–2022): A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii infection (toxoplasmosis) has the potential to cause a serious disease in immunocompromised patients and can be fatal in this population. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis...
Determining the screening frequency for sexually transmitted infections for people who use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends ‘frequent’ screening of sexually transmitted infections (STI) for people who use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, there is no evidence for optimal frequency....
HIV risk behavior and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: HIV risk behavior among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a major public health concern as it increases HIV transmission. In Ethiopia, findings regarding HIV risk behavior have been...
Prevalence of curable STIs and bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: STIs remain a global public health problem with a high burden among pregnant women. STIs in pregnant women may lead to various adverse pregnancy outcomes. In most sub-Saharan African...
HIV testing strategies, types of tests, and uptake by men who have sex with men and transgender women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of strategies and types of tests on HIV testing uptake by men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW),...
HIV infection does not affect the risk of death of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies
Background: Even during the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to pose a major threat, worldwide. In fact, the World Health Organization...
Reinfection rate of hepatitis C in HIV-1 positive men who have sex with men: A systematic review and meta-analysis
PURPOSE: A reduction of 80% in new Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is expected by 2030. However, high HCV reinfection rates have been reported among the high-risk population. This meta-analysis...
The proportion of loss to follow-up from antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its association with age among adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a global health threat, especially in developing countries. The successful scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs to address this threat is hindered by a...
