Category Archives: Other
Reviews that are lab-based (e.g. genes, pharmaceuticals) or on unique groups of people (e.g. fishermen, nurses)
The role of killer immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease progression: A meta-analysis
Genetic studies on the association of the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes with HIV-1 infection and disease progression have been widely carried out with somewhat contradictory results. Therefore, we undertook...
Systematic review of the performance and clinical utility of point of care HIV-1 RNA testing for diagnosis and care
BACKGROUND: Point of-care (POC) HIV-1 RNA tests which are accurate and easy to use with limited infrastructure are needed in resource-limited settings (RLS). We systematically reviewed evidence of POC test...
How does hard-to-reach status affect antiretroviral therapy adherence in the HIV-infected population? Results from a meta-analysis of observational studies
BACKGROUND: Socially disadvantaged groups, such as drug users, sex workers and homeless individuals, are labelled as “hard-to-reach” (HTR) in public health and medical research. HIV disproportionately impacts these populations, but...
Effect of organizational models of provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) in health facilities on adult HIV testing coverage in sub-Saharan Africa
The purpose of this paper is to identify which Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) organizational models are the most efficient to maximize testing coverage. We conducted a systematic literature...
Do quality improvement initiatives improve outcomes for patients in antiretroviral programs in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review
Background: There have been a range of quality improvement (QI) and quality assurance initiatives in low- and middle-income countries to improve antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment outcomes for people living with HIV....
Performance of non-laboratory staff for diagnostic testing and specimen collection in HIV programs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: In most high HIV burden countries, many HIV patients do not have reliable access to required diagnostic laboratory tests. Task shifting of clinical tasks to lower cadres of health...
Performance of cepheid GeneXpert HIV-1 viral load plasma assay to accurately detect treatment failure: A clinical meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Coverage of viral load testing remains low with only half of the patients in need having adequate access. Alternative technologies to high throughput centralized machines can be used to...
Healthcare workers’ perspectives on the barriers to providing HIV services to children in sub-Saharan Africa
Background: In order to accelerate the HIV response to meet the UNAIDS 90-90-90 indicators for children, healthcare workers need to lead a scale-up of HIV services in primary healthcare settings....
Antiretroviral concentration in hair as a measure for antiretroviral medication adherence: A systematic review of global literature
This review aims to validate hair antiretroviral concentration (HAC) as a measure for antiretroviral medication adherence. This review included 31 studies that analyzed a total of 11 ARV drugs in...
