Category Archives: Health services
Efficacy of behavioral interventions to increase engagement in sexual health services among LatinX youth in the United States: A meta-analysis for post-pandemic implications
Introduction LatinX youth in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by HIV and STIs, commonly attributed to a lack of diagnostic testing and regular physician consultations to address sexual health. These...
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among high-risk population in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Globally, 38.4 million people are affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic, and more than 2.5 million new HIV infections occur yearly. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been widely...
Rapid systematic review of interventions to improve antenatal screening rates for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV in low- and middle-income countries
Background: Infectious diseases including syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organization...
Economic evaluations of establishing opioid overdose prevention centers in 12 North American cities: A systematic review
OBJECTIVES: Overdose prevention centers (OPCs) provide a safe place where people can consume preobtained drugs under supervision so that a life-saving medical response can be provided quickly in the event...
Experiences of people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries and their perspectives in self-management: A meta-synthesis
INTRODUCTION: Availability of anti-retroviral treatment has changed HIV in to a manageable chronic disease, making effective self-management essential. However, only a few studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reported...
Incidence and risks of HIV infection, medication options, and adverse effects in accidental needle stick injuries: A narrative review
Accidental needle sticks can lead to infections, including HIV. As scientists have learned more about HIV and its replicative physiology, identification of target sites and novel medications have been developed....
Impact of harm minimization interventions on reducing blood-borne infection transmission and some injecting behaviors among people who inject drugs: An overview and evidence gap mapping
Background This study aimed to synthetize the evidence on the effectiveness of harm minimization interventions on reducing blood-borne infection transmission and injecting behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) through...
Barriers and facilitators to utilizing HIV prevention and treatment services among migrant youth globally: A scoping review
Both migrants and young people experience disproportionately high rates of HIV acquisition and poor access to HIV prevention and treatment services. To develop effective interventions and reach epidemic control, it...
Weight loss and mortality in people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background In the first reported cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, people living with HIV (PLHIV) suffered weight loss, which was an independent predictor of mortality. Highly active antiretroviral...
Syphilis prevalence among people living with and without HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection which, untreated, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In people living with HIV (PLWH), syphilis carries greater risks of disease progression....
Adherence to option B+ antiretroviral therapy and associated factors in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background To assess the adherence to option B + antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated factors in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods We conducted a comprehensive search from 01st January...
