Category Archives: Income
Environmental pollutants, mucosal barriers, and pathogen susceptibility; the case for aflatoxin B(1) as a risk factor for HIV transmission and pathogenesis
HIV transmission risk is dependent on the infectivity of the HIV+ partner and personal susceptibility risk factors of the HIV- partner. The mucosal barrier, as the internal gatekeeper between environment...
Barriers to uptaking HIV testing among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of qualitative findings
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is a gateway to HIV treatment, care and preventive services for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Despite this, uptake of HIV testing is not...
Testing for saturation in qualitative evidence syntheses: An update of HIV adherence in Africa
BACKGROUND: A systematic review of randomised trials may be conclusive signalling no further research is needed; or identify gaps requiring further research that may then be included in review updates....
Perinatal outcomes in women living with HIV-1 and receiving antiretroviral therapy — A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction Antiretroviral therapy-naïve pregnant women living with HIV are at an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. It remains controversial whether this risk persists with antiretroviral therapy. We conducted a...
Exploring the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV): A scoping review
Understanding the clinical impact of COVID-19 has been central to emerging research in the HIV field, but in focusing on the biomedical, researchers must not overlook the socially embedded nature...
What constitutes a palliative care need in people with serious illnesses across Africa? A mixed-methods systematic review of the concept and evidence
BACKGROUND: Clarity on what constitutes a palliative care need is essential to ensure that health systems and clinical services deliver an appropriate response within Universal Health Coverage. AIM: To synthesise...
Integrating individual and contextual factors to explain disparities in HIV/STI among heterosexual African American youth: A contemporary literature review and social ecological model
Heterosexual African American youth face substantial disparities in sexual health consequences such as HIV and STI. Based on the social ecological framework, the current paper provides a comprehensive, narrative review...
The synergistic relationship between climate change and the HIV/AIDS epidemic: A conceptual framework
Climate change and HIV/AIDS represent two of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century. However, limitations in understanding the complex relationship between these syndemics continue to constrain...
Changes in smoking patterns after HIV diagnosis or antiretroviral treatment initiation: A global systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Tobacco consumption is more life-threatening in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than within the general population; therefore, people living with HIV (PLWH) should be highly motivated...
Evidence of sociodemographic heterogeneity across the HIV treatment cascade and progress towards 90-90-90 in sub-Saharan Africa — A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Heterogeneity of sociodemographics and risk behaviours across the HIV treatment cascade could influence the public health impact of universal ART in sub-Saharan Africa if those not virologically suppressed are...
Social and demographical determinants of quality of life in people who live with HIV/AIDS infection: Evidence from a meta-analysis
The aim of this meta-analysis is to summarize the available evidence on the social and demographic determinants of health-related quality of life (QoL) for HIV-infected populations in order to provide...
HIV preexposure prophylaxis and treatment as prevention — Beliefs and access barriers in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women: A systematic review
PURPOSE: While the annual rate of new HIV infections and diagnoses has remained stable for most groups, troubling increases are seen in transgender women and racial/ethnic-minority men who have sex...