Category Archives: Epidemiology
Efficacy of covid-19 vaccines in immunocompromised patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective: To compare the efficacy of covid-19 vaccines between immunocompromised and immunocompetent people. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Central Register of Controlled Trials, COVID-19 Open Research Dataset Challenge (CORD-19),...
Prevalence of mental health conditions among people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated many mental health problems worldwide. People living with HIV (henceforth known as PLHIV) bear a higher mental health burden in comparison with the general...
National burden of intestinal parasitic infections and its determinants among people living with HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral therapy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is designed to assess the pooled prevalence and determine risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among people living with HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral...
Burden and associated factors of virological failure among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
United Nations program on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 ambitious goal recommends 90% of people living with HIV and taking antiretroviral therapy should achieve viral suppression by 2020. However, virological failure is still...
Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus among incarcerated people in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Objectives: Incarcerated people are at higher risk for HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections. This review systematically summarized the evidence on the prevalence of these infections...
eHealth interventions to address HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, sexual risk behavior, substance use, and mental ill-health in men who have sex with men: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Men who have sex with men experience disproportionately high levels of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual risk behavior, substance use, and mental ill-health. These experiences are interrelated,...
Diagnostic accuracy of the interferon-gamma release assay in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with suspected tuberculosis infection: A meta-analysis
PURPOSE: The diagnostic accuracy of the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) in immunosuppressed patients remains unclear. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed for diagnostic test accuracy of IGRA in...
HIV/AIDS post-exposure prophylaxis knowledge and uptake among health professionals in Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Healthcare workers in developing countries are at particularly increased risk of infections from blood-borne pathogens because of the high prevalence of such pathogens in their communities as well as the...
Anal cytological abnormalities and human papillomavirus infection in women living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective: To provide a summary estimate of the prevalence of anal cytological abnormalities and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as well as their covariates in women living with HIV (WLHIV). Methods: Four databases...
Risky sexual practice and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The risky sexual behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) may impose a risk of transmitting the disease to their partners and increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection. This...
Use of quality-of-life instruments for people living with HIV: A global systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction: Due to the effectiveness of combined antiretroviral therapy and its growing availability worldwide, most people living with HIV (PLHIV) have a near-normal life expectancy. However, PLHIV continue to face various...
Discontinuation, suboptimal adherence, and reinitiation of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: A global systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Poor adherence to oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) diminishes its clinical and public health benefits. This study synthesises evidence regarding discontinuation, adherence, and reinitiation of PrEP among geographically diverse PrEP...
