Category Archives: Determinants of Health
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...
Effect of BMI on mortality in patients with tuberculosis and HIV coinfection in Asia and Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a major global health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, corresponding to 134 cases...
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...
Role of pharmacists in HIV prophylaxis: A scoping review of pharmacists’ services, interventions and outcomes
INTRODUCTION: HIV remains a major global public health challenge, with nearly 1.3 million new HIV acquisitions annually. Despite the effectiveness of pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), barriers to access,...
Evaluating the effectiveness of digital health interventions for HIV prevention and treatment adherence among transgender populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Transgender individuals face a disproportionate burden of HIV due to systemic barriers including stigma, discrimination, and limited access to gender-affirming healthcare. Digital health interventions (DHIs), such as mobile applications,...
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...
Obstetric nurses’ approach to evidence-based practice in breastfeeding within the context of HIV: A scoping review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus remains a significant public health challenge, with breastfeeding contributing to the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Although antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces this risk, obstetric nurses face complex...
Closing diagnostic gaps in pediatric HIV: Innovations in point-of-care and digital monitoring with an Asia-Pacific implementation lens—A systematic review
Background/Objectives: Pediatric HIV case-finding and monitoring remain constrained by delayed early infant diagnosis (EID), loss to follow-up, and limited viral load (VL) testing-challenges particularly consequential in the operationally diverse Asia-Pacific...
HIV self-testing and clinician-administered testing in Southern Africa: A systematic review of programmatic outcomes
Objective: In 2024, an estimated 5.3 million of 40.8 million people with HIV (PWH) globally were unaware of their status, with Southern Africa bearing the highest regional burden. This review synthesizes...
Colliding wars: A systematic review on HIV responses in conflict-affected settings
BACKGROUND: Armed conflicts are an escalating threat to public health, often marked by violence, poverty, displacement and weakened health systems-conditions that mirror the drivers of HIV transmission. AIM: This review...
Person-centred HIV prevention services in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: In spite of numerous advancements in HIV prevention, there are still gaps that impede reaching key populations throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional approaches usually overlook personal preferences, social context and...
