Category Archives: Determinants of Health
The impact of education on sexual behavior in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the evidence
Many studies have attempted to determine the relationship between education and HIV status. However, a complete and causal understanding of this relationship requires analysis of its mediating pathways, focusing on...
CCL3L1 copy number variation and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection: A meta-analysis
Although several studies have investigated whether CCL3L1 copy number variation (CNV) influences the risk of HIV-1 infection, there are still no clear conclusions. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis using two...
Integrating prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs to improve uptake: A systematic review
Background: We performed a systematic review to assess the effect of integrated perinatal prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV interventions compared to non- or partially integrated services on the uptake...
A psychometric evaluation of measures of spirituality validated in culturally diverse palliative care populations
CONTEXT: Despite the need to accurately measure spiritual outcomes in diverse palliative care populations, little attention has been paid to the properties of the tools currently in use. OBJECTIVES: This...
The age of initiation of drug use and sexual behavior may influence subsequent HIV risk behavior: A systematic review.
Researchers examining injection drug users (IDUs) in drug treatment have been trying for decades to determine the optimal way to intervene to prevent the transmission and spread of human immunodeficiency...
Smoking-cessation interventions in people living with HIV infection: A systematic review
Tobacco smoking remains a prevalent behavior in people living with HIV infection (PLWHs) and is associated with impaired immune functioning, increased cardiovascular risk, and decreased response to antiretroviral therapy. This...
Is early sexual debut a risk factor for HIV infection among women in sub-Saharan Africa? A systematic review
PROBLEM: In Africa, adolescent girls have high HIV risk. Early sexual debut may be a risk factor, although evidence has not been systematically compiled. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted....
Use of diet, nutritional supplements and exercise in HIV-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapies: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: The use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has improved the prognosis of HIV infection, but it has also been linked to a spectrum of body composition changes and metabolic...
HIV Interventions to Reduce HIV/AIDS Stigma: A Systematic Review
We reviewed the literature to determine the effectiveness of HIV-related interventions in reducing HIV/AIDS stigma. Studies selected had randomized controlled trial (RCT), pretest-posttest with a non-randomized control group, or pretest-posttest...
Non-clinical outcomes of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS in developing countries: A systematic literature review
The impacts of antiretroviral therapy on quality of life, mental health, labor productivity, and economic wellbeing for people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries are only beginning to be measured....
Linking women who test HIV-positive in pregnancy-related services to long-term HIV care and treatment services: A systematic review
Objectives To quantify attrition between women testing HIV-positive in pregnancy-related services and accessing long-term HIV care and treatment services in low- or middle-income countries and to explore the reasons underlying...