Category Archives: Population(s)
Behavioral interventions to reduce the transmission of HIV infection among sex workers and their clients in low- and middle-income countries
BACKGROUND: Various interventions have been adopted to reduce HIV transmission among sex workers and their clients but the effectiveness of these strategies has yet to be investigated using meta-analytic techniques....
Prevalence of tuberculosis, hepatitis C virus, and HIV in homeless people: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: 100 million people worldwide are homeless; rates of mortality and morbidity are high in this population. The contribution of infectious diseases to these adverse outcomes is uncertain. Accurate estimates...
HIV and syphilis co-infection increasing among men who have sex with men in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: This study aims to estimate the magnitude and changing trends of HIV, syphilis and HIV-syphilis co-infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China during 2003-2008 through...
Strategies for integrating primary health services in low- and middle-income countries at the point of delivery
BACKGROUND: In some low- and middle-income countries, separate vertical programmes deliver specific life-saving interventions but can fragment services. Strategies to integrate services aim to bring together inputs, organisation, and delivery...
Response rates to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HCV/HIV coinfection: A research synthesis
Several recent trials have determined varying rates of response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (peg-IFN + RIB) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus-coinfected patients. We sought to identify a...
Mannose-binding lectin and the risk of HIV transmission and disease progression in children: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) can activate the complement system by binding to carbohydrates, such as those presented on the HIV virion surface. It is unclear whether genetically determined MBL deficiency...
More than 20 years of research into the quality of life of people with HIV and AIDS–a descriptive review of study characteristics and methodological approaches of published empirical studies
BACKGROUND: The quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) is becoming increasingly important–a fact that is also reflected in extensive research efforts. Owing to the almost...
A systematic review of qualitative findings on factors enabling and deterring uptake of HIV testing in Sub-Saharan Africa
BACKGROUND: Despite Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) being the epicenter of the HIV epidemic, uptake of HIV testing is not optimal. While qualitative studies have been undertaken to investigate factors influencing uptake...
Task shifting of HIV management from doctors to nurses in Africa: Clinical outcomes and evidence on nurse self-efficacy and job satisfaction
With 24% global disease burden and 3% global health workforce, the World Health Organization (WHO) designates the African region a critical workforce shortage area. Task shifting is a WHO-recommended strategy...
Microenterprise development interventions for sexual risk reduction: A systematic review
Comprehensive interventions that address both individual and structural determinants associated with HIV/STI risk are gaining increasing attention over the past decade. Microenterprise development offers an appealing model for HIV prevention...
Intravaginal practices, vaginal infections and HIV acquisition: Systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Intravaginal practices are commonly used by women to manage their vaginal health and sexual life. These practices could, however, affect intravaginal mucosal integrity. The objectives of this study were...
Lessons learned from family-centred models of treatment for children living with HIV: Current approaches and future directions
BACKGROUND: Despite strong global interest in family-centred HIV care models, no reviews exist that detail the current approaches to family-centred care and their impact on the health of children with...
