Category Archives: Population(s)
HIV infection and risk of COVID-19 mortality: A meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the association of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality. METHODS: We systematically retrieved articles published on HIV...
Multiplexed technologies for sexually transmitted infections: Global evidence on patient-centered and clinical health outcomes
INTRODUCTION: Conventional care packages around screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) entail multiple clinic visits and precipitate losses to follow-up. To prevent these losses, multiplexed technologies for STIs (immunochromatographic tests/devices/assays...
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...
What is the optimum time to start antiretroviral therapy in people with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection? A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: HIV and tuberculosis are frequently diagnosed concurrently. In March 2021, World Health Organization recommended that antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be started within two weeks of tuberculosis treatment start, at...
ART initiations following community-based distribution of HIV self-tests: Meta-analysis and meta-regression of STAR Initiative data
INTRODUCTION: Measuring linkage after community-based testing, particularly HIV self-testing (HIVST), is challenging. Here, we use data from studies of community-based HIVST distribution, conducted within the STAR Initiative, to assess initiation...
Association between education level and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis
In the era of antiretroviral treatment, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is common in HIV-positive (HIV+) patients, with an incidence of 30-50%. The relationship between education level and...
How women’s experiences and perceptions of care influence uptake of postnatal care across sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative systematic review
BACKGROUND: The burden of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality is a global health concern with the highest burden documented after childbirth in women and babies living in sub-Saharan Africa....
The effect of Rosuvastatin on plasma/serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and D-dimer in people living with iuman immunodeficiency virus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Rosuvastatin therapy might have an effect on the inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers. However, the evidence about the effect of rosuvastatin therapy on the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and...
Health system adaptations and considerations to facilitate optimal oral pre-exposure prophylaxis scale-up in sub-Saharan Africa
Following WHO’s 2015 recommendation, countries in sub-Saharan Africa have progressively scaled up oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of combination HIV prevention. PrEP has potential to significantly reduce new HIV...
The clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in HIV-positive patients: A systematic review of current evidence
INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic underlying diseases are more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications. Recent studies showed people living with HIV (PLWH) are not at greater risk than the...
Neuropsychological effects of direct-acting antiviral treatment for HCV subjects: A systematic review
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved in recent years to treat patients infected by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The DAAs treatment is well tolerated and increases sustained virological response...
