Category Archives: People who use drugs
Different transmission routes and the risk of advanced HIV disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of observational studies
Background: A substantial proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) present for care with advanced HIV disease (AHD), which may result in difficulty reaching the “90-90-90” target to end AIDS...
The PrEP care continuum among cisgender women who sell sex and/or use drugs globally: A systematic review
HIV prevalence among cisgender female sex workers (FSW) and/or women who use drugs (WWUD) is substantially higher compared to similarly aged women. Consistent with PRISMA guidelines, we conducted the first...
Multi-level experiences and determinants of alcohol misuse and illicit drug use among occupational groups at high-risk of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A thematic synthesis of qualitative findings
Occupational groups at high-risk of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) may be at increased risk of substance use because of occupation-related factors. We synthesised qualitative data on determinants and context...
HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) and related factors in Iran: A systematic review, meta-analysis and trend analysis
AIMS: In Iran, injecting drug use has been the major route of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. In order to control the HIV epidemic, a harm reduction program was initiated...
Taiwan guideline on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention – 2018 update
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection is proved to be effective and has been implemented worldwide. This article introduces the guideline development and revised recommendations and...
What do HIV-positive drug users’ experience tell us about their antiretroviral medications taking? An international integrated literature review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HIV-positive drug users’ poor adherence to antiretroviral regimens can pose a significant and negative impact on individual and global health. This review aims to identify knowledge gaps...
Comparing injecting and sexual risk behaviors of long-term injectors with new injectors: A meta-analysis
The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of injection duration on injection and sexual high-risk behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID), in order to inform development of intensive...
Abnormal QTc syndrome in HIV-infected patients: A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review is to critically analyze data regarding the prevalence and risk factors for developing a prolonged QTc interval and subsequent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in...
Evidence for optimal HIV screening and testing intervals in HIV-negative individuals from various risk groups: A systematic review
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing plays a crucial role in Canada’s HIV prevention and treatment efforts and is the first step to achieving the Joint United Nations Programme on...
Sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus infections: Current trends, and recent advances in understanding the spread in men who have sex with men
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health threat. Although the recent availability of highly effective directly acting antivirals created optimism towards HCV elimination, there is ongoing transmission...
Prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV infection and sociodemographic characteristics of people who inject drugs in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Globally, China is the largest country by population and contributes substantially to the burden of people who inject drugs (PWID). The aims of this study were to estimate the...
