Category Archives: Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
Under-reporting of known HIV-positive status among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Monitoring progress towards the UNAIDS ‘first 90’ target requires accurate estimates of levels of diagnosis among people living with HIV (PLHIV), which is often estimated using self-report. We conducted a...
Prevalence of HIV and HCV among injecting drug users in three selected WHO-EMRO countries: A meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections are responsible for a significant burden of mortality and morbidity, particularly in developing countries. This study sought to determine the prevalence of...
Exploring the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV): A scoping review
Understanding the clinical impact of COVID-19 has been central to emerging research in the HIV field, but in focusing on the biomedical, researchers must not overlook the socially embedded nature...
Adolescent condom use in Southern Africa: Narrative systematic review and conceptual model of multilevel barriers and facilitators
BACKGROUND: Adolescent HIV and pregnancy rates in Southern Africa are amongst the highest in the world. Despite decades of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programming targeting adolescents, recent trends suggest...
Are psychosocial interventions effective at increasing condom use among Black men? A systematic review
Black men experience a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United Kingdom (UK). STIs can seriously affect the health and well-being of affected individuals. With condoms effective...
Acceptability and uptake of HIV self-testing in emergency care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Emergency departments (ED) interface with large numbers of patients that are often missed by conventional HIV testing approaches. ED-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an innovative engagement approach which has potential...
Promoting safer sex in the context of heterosexual anal intercourse: A scoping review
Aims and objectives: To locate and summarise existing literature regarding safer sex practices specific to heterosexual anal intercourse and identify promising health promotion strategies. Background: Much of the literature regarding anal intercourse...
Prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide plan among HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Suicidality is common in people living with HIV/AIDS. However, the prevalence estimates of the suicidality vary between studies. Here, we performed a systematic review and estimated the prevalence of...
Prevalence and factors associated with common mental disorders in young people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
INTRODUCTION: Common mental disorders (CMDs) particularly depression and anxiety, are highly comorbid with HIV also in young people living with HIV (YLWH). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where most YLWH reside,...
Motherhood and decision-making among women living with HIV in developed countries: A systematic review with qualitative research synthesis
BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV (WLH) lack evidence-based information about reproductive options while managing pressures from family, clinicians, and communities to give up the idea of having children. As the...
Barriers and facilitators for early and exclusive breastfeeding in health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionate burden of under-five child deaths in the world and appropriate breastfeeding practices can support efforts to reduce child mortality rates. Health facilities are important...
The HIV care cascade in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review of published criteria and definitions
INTRODUCTION: The HIV care cascade examines the attrition of people living with HIV from diagnosis to the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and suppression of viral replication. We reviewed the...
