Category Archives: Determinants of Health
Cancer and the ‘other’ noncommunicable chronic diseases in older people living with HIV/AIDS in resource-limited settings: A challenge to success
Objective: There is considerable research around the morbidity and mortality related to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular disease and diabetes, among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in resource-richer settings. Less...
Improved access to early infant diagnosis is a critical part of a child-centric prevention of mother-to-child transmission agenda
BACKGROUND: Prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) programs have made it possible to achieve dramatic reductions in the rate of vertical HIV transmission. However, high attrition, particularly after delivery, has limited the impact of...
Mental health of HIV-seropositive women during pregnancy and postpartum period: A comprehensive literature review
With growing numbers of HIV-seropositive (HIV+) women of child-bearing age and increased access to effective clinical protocols for preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, mental health-related factors have become increasingly...
A systematic review of interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination from 2002 to 2013: How far have we come?
Introduction: HIV-related stigma and discrimination continue to hamper efforts to prevent new infections and engage people in HIV treatment, care and support programmes. The identification of effective interventions to reduce...
Neurodevelopment in children born to HIV-infected mothers by infection and treatment status
BACKGROUND: We reviewed the impact of HIV, HIV exposure, and antiretroviral therapy/prophylaxis on neurodevelopmental outcomes of HIV-infected and HIV-exposed-uninfected infants and children. METHODS: A literature search of Medline, Embase, PsychINFO,...
Meta-analysis: Implications of interleukin-28B polymorphisms in spontaneous and treatment-related clearance for patients with hepatitis C
BACKGROUND: Since 2009, several studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the gene encoding for interleukin (IL)-28 (IL28B) that are strongly associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced hepatitis C virus (HCV)...
Emergence of drug resistance in HIV type 1-infected patients after receipt of first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy: A systematic review of clinical trials
Background. Resistance to antiretroviral combination therapy is associated with increased mortality. Understanding the relative risks of emerging resistance to first-line therapy is of importance for both resource-rich and resource-poor settings....
Contraception for the HIV-positive woman: A review of interactions between hormonal contraception and antiretroviral therapy
Background. Preventing unintended pregnancy in HIV-positive women can significantly reduce maternal-to-child HIV transmission as well as improve the woman’s overall health. Hormonal contraceptives are safe and effective means to avoid...
A systematic review on the meaning of the concept ‘AIDS Orphan’: Confusion over definitions and implications for care
Global publications on the international AIDS epidemic report on the existence of an ever-increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children. It has been suggested that by the end of this...
Nutritional interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality in people with HIV
Background: Adequate nutrition is important for optimal immune and metabolic function. Dietary support may, therefore, improve clinical outcomes in HIV-infected individuals by reducing the incidence of HIV-associated complications and attenuating...
HIV: Associated transmission risks in older adults – An integrative review of the literature
Recent evidence suggests that transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing among late middle-aged and older adults (50 years of age or older). However, research studies explaining the unique...
