Category Archives: Education
Unmet need for family planning among reproductive-age women living with HIV in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Unmet need for family planning remains a major challenge worldwide, particularly in Africa, contributing to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Reducing the unmet need...
Barriers and facilitators influencing PrEP uptake among men who have sex with men and transgender women in the United States: A systematic review
In the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) have high HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, yet uptake rates remain extremely low. This signifies...
A web of risk: Multilevel factors and feedback loops (re)produce HIV ‘risk’ among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men—A global systematic review
BACKGROUND: HIV literature shows that gay, bisexual and men who have sex with other men (GBMSM) experience inequities across social and contextual factors. Given growing inequities, this study used complex...
The prevalence and influencing factors of frailty among middle-aged and older adults with HIV/AIDS from a global perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aim: Currently, frailty has become a central issue in health management among middle-aged and older people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) worldwide. The objective is to develop targeted strategies to improve frailty...
Inconsistent condom use and its associated factors among female sex workers in African countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Inconsistent condom use represents the most proximal behavioral risk factor for acquisition and transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus. However, certain situations hinder female sex workers...
Understanding antiretroviral therapy adherence in children with HIV: A review of barriers and strategies
INTRODUCTION: Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) availability, maintaining optimal adherence remains difficult, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This literature review synthesized evidence on barriers and interventions influencing...
Harm reduction progams and interventions for equity-deserving populations who use crack-cocaine. A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Crack-cocaine use is associated with severe physical and mental health consequences, including cardiac, pulmonary and psychiatric conditions. It also heightens the risk of overdose and transmission of infectious diseases...
Vulnerability and non-adherence to treatment in cisgender women living with HIV/AIDS: A scoping review (2000–2024)
Background Cisgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS due to structural gender inequalities and intersecting social determinants, which generate vulnerability contexts that act as barriers to treatment adherence. Methods A...
Knowledge of reproductive-age women about mother-to-child transmission of HIV and associated factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Despite significant efforts to manage and prevent HIV, knowledge gaps persist regarding mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women of reproductive age. Previous studies, limited in scope and producing inconsistent...
Virologic suppression among HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women receiving antiretroviral therapy in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a key global public health priority. In Africa, virologic failure among people living with HIV continues to pose a...
HIV in Iraq: Key populations, sociodemographics, transmission modes, present realities, and urgent next steps: A systematic review
Background and Purpose While empirical studies in Iraq have examined sociodemographic characteristics and modes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, including but not limited to those involving key populations, there...
Perceptions about the relationship between HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and fecundity in sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from a systematic scoping review
Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) enable women living with HIV to safely conceive and give birth without vertical transmission. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 6 people experience infertility and...
