Category Archives: Population(s)
Effect of BMI on mortality in patients with tuberculosis and HIV coinfection in Asia and Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a major global health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, corresponding to 134 cases...
Peer network approaches for improving HIV testing, prevention and care utilisation among men in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
INTRODUCTION: Limited male engagement in HIV prevention and care is a global challenge more pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) contributing to ongoing transmission. However, peer network interventions show promise in...
The risk of infection-related malignancies and tumor mutational burden in immunocompromised hosts: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Immunocompromised individuals exhibit an increased risk of malignancies attributable to impaired immune surveillance and increased susceptibility to oncogenic infections, resulting in distinct responses to immunotherapy. The intricacies of infection-related...
Risk factors and mortality rates for children co-infected with HIV and TB in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify risk factors and mortality rates in HIV and TB co-infected children in Ethiopia. An electronic literature search was conducted using multiple databases,...
Barriers and facilitators to the diagnosis of HIV and other STIs in primary care within publicly funded healthcare systems: A systematic review of qualitative studies
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health concern. Primary care (PC) is the ideal setting for their diagnosis. Designing effective strategies...
Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of INSTI-based antiretroviral therapy single- versus multiple-tablet regimens for the treatment of HIV
Introduction Antiretroviral single-tablet regimens (STRs) have several advantages over multiple-tablet regimens (MTRs), including increased adherence and improved treatment satisfaction for people with HIV (PWH). This analysis has systematically reviewed and...
Efficacy and safety of long-acting lenacapavir for HIV treatment and prevention: A systematic review of randomized trials
Background: Lenacapavir is a first-in-class, long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor enabling treatment and prevention with reduced reliance on daily oral adherence. Evidence from randomized trials across indications remains fragmented. We systematically...
Understanding antiretroviral therapy adherence in children with HIV: A review of barriers and strategies
INTRODUCTION: Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) availability, maintaining optimal adherence remains difficult, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This literature review synthesized evidence on barriers and interventions influencing...
Missing assent: A global systematic review of ethical practices in HIV research with men who have sex with men (MSM) under 18
Background Ethical safeguards are critical in HIV research involving minors, especially vulnerable groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM) under 18 years. This systematic review explores how informed...
Obstetric nurses’ approach to evidence-based practice in breastfeeding within the context of HIV: A scoping review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus remains a significant public health challenge, with breastfeeding contributing to the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Although antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces this risk, obstetric nurses face complex...
Closing diagnostic gaps in pediatric HIV: Innovations in point-of-care and digital monitoring with an Asia-Pacific implementation lens—A systematic review
Background/Objectives: Pediatric HIV case-finding and monitoring remain constrained by delayed early infant diagnosis (EID), loss to follow-up, and limited viral load (VL) testing-challenges particularly consequential in the operationally diverse Asia-Pacific...
HIV self-testing and clinician-administered testing in Southern Africa: A systematic review of programmatic outcomes
Objective: In 2024, an estimated 5.3 million of 40.8 million people with HIV (PWH) globally were unaware of their status, with Southern Africa bearing the highest regional burden. This review synthesizes...
