Category Archives: People who use drugs
Prevention of viral hepatitis and HIV infection among people who inject drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This study aimed to explore the current evidence on preventing blood-borne virus infections among people who inject drugs (PWID). We conducted a comprehensive search across three databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane...
Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, drug use, and sexual behaviors among street children in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background and Aims Street children face a disproportionately higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to high‐risk sexual and drug use...
Geographic and population distributions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-2 circulating subtypes: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (2010–2021)
BACKGROUND: HIV poses significant challenges for vaccine development due to its high genetic mutation and recombination rates. Understanding the distribution of HIV subtypes (clades) across regions and populations is crucial....
Global, regional, and country-level coverage of testing and treatment for HIV and hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs: A systematic review
Background People who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, while there is little global data on HIV and HCV testing and treatment coverage...
Pre-exposure prophylaxis care continuum for HIV risk populations: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical strategy for HIV prevention. This umbrella review is aimed at providing a comprehensive summary of the current status of each stage of the...
Odds of HIV among incarcerated drug users: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Asian countries
Background: HIV makes up a large portion of infectious diseases globally. People injecting drugs in prisons are at high risk for contracting HIV infection. Prisons house ~10.2 million people globally,...
HIV, hepatitis B & C in people who inject drugs in India: A systematic review of regional heterogeneity & overview of opioid substitution treatment
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: This systematic review evaluates the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) burden among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in India. In...
Determining reinfection rates by hepatitis C testing interval among key populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background & aims: Detecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection among key populations helps prevent ongoing transmission. This systematic review aims to determine the association between different testing intervals during post-SVR follow-up...
Neurological, behavioral, and pathophysiological characterization of the co-occurrence of substance use and HIV: A narrative review
Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has greatly reduced the severity of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in people living with HIV (PLWH); however, PLWH are more likely than the general population to use...
Global associations of key populations with HIV-1 recombinants: A systematic review, global survey, and individual participant data meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Global HIV infections due to HIV-1 recombinants are increasing and impede prevention and treatment efforts. Key populations suffer most new HIV infections, but their role in the spread of...
Geographic and population distributions of HIV-1 and HIV-2 circulating subtypes: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (2010–2021)
BACKGROUND: HIV continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality. Among the main challenges faced by prophylactic HIV vaccine development are the high rates of genetic mutation and...