Category Archives: Epidemiology
A comparative analysis of blood pressure in HIV-infected patients versus uninfected controls residing in Sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative review
Elevated blood pressure (BP) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We reviewed the literature comparing BP in treated HIV-infected populations against untreated...
Unknown HIV status and the TB/HIV collaborative control program in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has shown significant efforts to address the burden of TB/HIV comorbidity through the TB/HIV collaborative program. However, these diseases are still the highest cause of death in the...
Systematic review and meta-analysis of global prevalence of HBsAg and HIV and HCV antibodies among people who inject drugs and female sex workers
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and their co-infections...
Tuberculosis and its association with CD4(+) T cell count among adult HIV positive patients in Ethiopian settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) and HV have been intertwined and makeup a deadly human syndemic worldwide, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Previous studies have reported different TB incidences and its...
Cryptosporidiosis in HIV-positive patients and related risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Cryptosporidium is one of the major causes of diarrhea in HIV-positive patients. The aim of this study is to systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in these patients....
Global prevalence of HCV and/or HBV coinfections among people who inject drugs and female sex workers who live with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Coinfections of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are associated with high morbidity and mortality and poor prognosis. The main...
Epidemiology of Cryptosporidium infections among people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: Results of systematic review and meta-analysis
PURPOSE: Cryptosporidium is implicated in diarrhea epidemics in many parts of the world and is said to be the most common protozoan cause of diarrhea among people living with HIV/AIDS...
Is sexual risk behaviour associated with an increased risk of transfusion-transmissible infections in blood donors from Western and Pacific countries? A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The donor medical questionnaire is designed to aid blood establishments in supporting a safe blood supply. According to blood donor deferral policies, sexual risk behaviour (SRB) leads...
Cryptococcal antigenemia and its predictors among HIV infected patients in resource limited settings: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that primarily affects people with advanced HIV/AIDS and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. By far the most...
The prevalence of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) and benefits of pre-emptive antifungal treatment among HIV-infected persons with CD4+ T-cell counts < 200 cells/muL: Evidence based on a meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Current WHO guidelines (2018) recommend screening for cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in HIV-infected persons with CD4+ T cell counts< 100 cells/muL, followed by pre-emptive antifungal therapy among CrAg positive (CrAg+)...
Cryptococcal meningitis: A review of cryptococcal antigen screening programs in Africa
INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcal meningitis remains a significant contributor to AIDS-related mortality despite widened access to antiretroviral therapy. Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) can be detected in the blood prior to development of meningitis....
