Category Archives: Determinants of Health
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,...
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...
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...
Sociodemographic predictors associated with the spectrum of non-opportunist neuroretinal disease of non-infectious etiology in patients with HIV/AIDS: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Non-infectious retinal disease, even in the HAART era, continues to be one of the most common diagnoses in patients with HIV, with prevalences of up to 27% of cases....
An update on neuropsychiatric adverse effects with second-generation integrase inhibitors and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neuropsychiatric adverse effects (NPAE) associated with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a growing concern, with higher rates in the real-world...
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...
