Category Archives: People who use drugs
Community-based rapid testing for HIV in Europe and Central Asia: A narrative review of models, effectiveness, and implementation challenges
This narrative review examines the evolution, implementation, and impact of Community-Based HIV Testing (CBT) across Europe and Central Asia (ECA), a region where late diagnosis remains a persistent challenge and...
Assessment of knowledge and use of HIV primary and secondary prevention strategies in Portugal: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Portugal has been committed to achieve UNAIDS target goals by the end of 2030 by improving accessibility of prevention programs to the general population and key populations. However, Portugal...
Healthcare access in chemsex contexts in Brazil: A scoping review and the VIP-chemsex model
Background/Objectives: Sexualized drug use (SDU) and chemsex have emerged as a growing public health concern globally, reflecting complex intersections between sexual practices, psychoactive substance use, and structural vulnerabilities. In Brazil, however,...
Prevalence of different genotypes of HIV-1 in injection drug users in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Since 1981, an increasing trend in HIV has been observed for transmission via injection drug users (IDUs), sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission. The IDUs are blamed for early increases...
Interventions to improve HIV care and treatment outcomes among people with HIV who have substance use disorder or at-risk substance use: A narrative review
Substance use adversely affects engagement in HIV care, adherence to medication, and HIV viral suppression. This review assessed the scope of US interventions designed to promote positive outcomes along the...
Harm reduction progams and interventions for equity-deserving populations who use crack-cocaine. A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Crack-cocaine use is associated with severe physical and mental health consequences, including cardiac, pulmonary and psychiatric conditions. It also heightens the risk of overdose and transmission of infectious diseases...
Structural and socio-cultural barriers to HIV prevention tools among key populations: A scoping review
INTRODUCTION: Despite decades of HIV prevention efforts, key populations – MSM, transgender people, PWUD, sex workers, and migrants – remain disproportionately affected by HIV. Although prevention tools are widely available,...
Effectiveness of telehealth in HIV management for people living with HIV and key populations: A systematic review of models, adherence, viral suppression, and behavioral outcomes
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a global health problem that causes many deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most HIV cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In...
Risk prediction models for targeted testing of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Diagnosing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in general population settings is challenging. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of...
Promoting healthy aging through mindfulness and yoga: A systematic review of interventions for people living with HIV who use drugs or who have a history of substance use
Advances in HIV care and broader access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) have extended life expectancy for people living with HIV, yet aging-related health concerns, especially among those who use substances,...
Contextual and culturally adapted interventions to improve HIV outcomes: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy is widely available, yet structural, social, and cultural barriers still limit human immunodeficiency virus prevention and care. Prevention tools such as consistent condom use and pre-exposure prophylaxis...
