Category Archives: Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
Economic and quality of life outcomes of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS in developing countries: A systematic literature review
The impacts of antiretroviral therapy (ART) 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...
Equity and efficiency in scaling up access to HIV-related interventions in resource-limited settings
Purpose of review: The present review focuses on empirical studies examining equity and efficiency in scaling up access to HIV treatment in resource-limited settings. Key themes from reviewed papers are...
Access to and utilisation of health services for the poor in Uganda: A systematic review of available evidence
Inequalities in the burden of disease and access to health care is a prominent concern in Uganda and other sub-Saharan African countries. This is a systematic review of socio-economic differences...
Impact of hepatitis B virus infection on the progression of AIDS and mortality in HIV-infected individuals: A cohort study and meta-analysis
Background. The effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease remains uncertain. Therefore, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine...
Is HIV infection a risk factor for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis? A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of human suffering and death. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), and extensive drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) have emerged as threats...
Barriers and facilitating factors to the uptake of antiretroviral drugs for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
OBJECTIVES: To investigate and synthesize reasons for low access, initiation and adherence to antiretroviral drugs by mothers and exposed babies for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in sub-Saharan...
Non-physician clinician provided HIV treatment results in equivalent outcomes as physician-provided care: A meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: A severe healthcare worker shortage in sub-Saharan Africa is inhibiting the expansion of HIV treatment. Task shifting, the transfer of antiretroviral therapy (ART) management and initiation from doctors to...
Interventions to prevent HIV and Hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: A review of reviews to assess evidence of effectiveness
BACKGROUND: Injecting drug use is a major risk factor for the acquisition and transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Prevention of these infections among people who inject drugs...
Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to improve health among people living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review
DESIGN:: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are at increased risk of diarrhoeal disease and enteric infection. This review assesses the effectiveness of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to prevent...
Impact of HIV-related stigma on treatment adherence: Systematic review and meta-synthesis
Introduction: Adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a critical determinant of HIV-1 RNA viral suppression and health outcomes. It is generally accepted that HIV-related stigma is correlated with factors...
