Category Archives: Determinants of Health
Barriers and facilitators of rendering HIV services by community health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-synthesis
OBJECTIVES: To synthesise qualitative studies that address the barriers to and facilitators of providing HIV services by community health workers (CHWs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). DESIGN: This meta-synthesis was guided...
HIV-sensitive social protection for vulnerable young women in East and Southern Africa: A systematic review
Introduction: Social protection programmes are considered HIV-sensitive when addressing risk, vulnerability or impact of HIV infection. Socio-economic interventions, like livelihood and employability programmes, address HIV vulnerabilities like poverty and gender inequality....
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...
Genetic factors associated with tuberculosis-related clinical outcomes in HIV-infected Black African patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aim: To evaluate the genetic factors influencing tuberculosis (TB) clinical outcomes in HIV-infected Black African patients. Materials & methods: We systematically searched and identified eligible publications from >550 databases indexed...
The influence of HLA/HIV genetics on the occurrence of elite controllers and a need for therapeutics geotargeting view
The interaction of HIV-1, human leukocyte antigen (HLA), and elite controllers (EC) compose a still intricate triad. Elite controllers maintain a very low viral load and a normal CD4 count,...
Health programmes and services addressing the prevention and management of infectious diseases in people who inject drugs in Canada: A systematic integrative review
OBJECTIVES: People who inject drugs (PWID) experience a high burden of injection drug use-related infectious disease and challenges in accessing adequate care. This study sought to identify programmes and services...
Seroprevalence estimates of latent and acute toxoplasma infections in HIV(+) people-call for action in underprivileged communities
We undertook a comprehensive, systematic review of observational studies to estimate respective seroprevalences of latent and acute Toxoplasma gondii infections in HIV(+) people at the global, regional and country levels;...
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....
Coordinating systems of care for HIV and opioid use disorder: A systematic review of enablers and barriers to integrated service access, and systems and tools required for implementation
Individuals who have HIV who also use drugs experience increased age-matched morbidity and mortality in comparison with those with HIV who do not use drugs. A systematic review was conducted...
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...
The syndemic burden of HIV/AIDS in Africa amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
INTRODUCTION: The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has long affected millions of individuals across the globe. Historically, the prevalence of this disease is particularly noted within the African...
Interventions for addressing trauma among people with HIV: A narrative review
Traumatic experiences are disproportionately prevalent among people with HIV and adversely affect HIV-related health outcomes. As part of a national cooperative agreement funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s...
