Category Archives: Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
A scoping review on the effects of COVID-19 on syringe service programs in the United States
The COVID-19 pandemic has had worldwide impacts, including disrupting community services. One interrupted service was syringe service programs (SSPs), community-established initiatives that provide sterile supplies and aid in overcoming addiction...
Barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use for HIV: An integrative review
OBJECTIVES: to identify and synthesize scientific evidence on the barriers and difficulties for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use and compliance for HIV. METHODS: an integrative literature review, using the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cumulative...
Uptake and barriers to cervical cancer screening among human immunodeficiency virus-positive women in Sub Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of disability and mortality among women in Africa. Despite a significant correlation between HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer, there is unacceptably low coverage of the...
Trends in HIV testing, the treatment cascade, and HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. In Africa, MSM face structural barriers to HIV prevention and treatment that increase their...
Can peer-based interventions improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health outcomes? An overview of reviews
PURPOSE: An overview of reviews was conducted to summarize the evidence and synthesize the results from systematic reviews. METHODS: The Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews reporting...
Gender differences in HIV knowledge among adolescents and young people in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review
OBJECTIVES: This review seeks to critically analyze studies assessing gender differences in HIV-related knowledge among adolescents and young people in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines and searching...
Perspectives of health workers engaging in task shifting to deliver health care in low-and-middle-income countries: A qualitative evidence synthesis
BACKGROUND: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are experiencing growing demand for healthcare services yet face a persistent shortage in access to specialist health workers (SHWs). Task shifting is an approach...
Safety and efficacy of long-acting injectable agents for HIV-1: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: HIV-1 infection continues to affect global health. Although antiretrovirals can reduce the viral load or prevent HIV-1 infection, current drugs require daily oral use with a high adherence level. Long-acting...
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of triplex infections (combined Human Immunodeficiency Virus, hepatitis B Virus, and hepatitis C Virus) among pregnant women in Nigeria
OBJECTIVE: We systematically identified the prevalence of triplex infections (combined human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV)) in pregnancy. METHODS: To gather information on...
Virtual avatars as a new tool for human immunodeficiency virus prevention among men who have sex with men: A narrative review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to affect sexual and gender minorities, predominantly men who have sex with men (MSM). Stigma, medical mistrust, and apprehension towards discussing sexual...
Adverse perinatal outcomes attributable to HIV in sub-Saharan Africa from 1990 to 2020: Systematic review and meta-analyses
Background: Maternal HIV infection and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are associated with increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. The vast majority of pregnant women living with HIV (WLHIV) reside in sub-Saharan Africa....
