Category Archives: Women
Level of adherence to option B+ program and associated factors among HIV-positive women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Despite policy initiatives and strategic measures highly focused on preventing mother-to-child transmission through the implementation of the Option B+ program, adherence to the treatment is still challenging. The level...
Perinatal outcomes associated with pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the dapivirine vaginal ring, and long-acting intramuscular injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV prevention in populations...
Family planning counseling for women living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the impact on contraceptive uptake, intention to use contraception and pregnancy incidence, 2011 to 2022
Women’s ability to control their fertility and have the number of children they want when they want them is an internationally recognized human right. This right has been the driving...
Impact of maternal HIV infection on perinatal outcomes: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Maternal HIV infection remains a significant global health concern with potential repercussions on perinatal outcomes. Emphasis on early intervention to improve peri- and postnatal outcomes in infected mothers and...
The cost-effectiveness of syphilis screening in pregnant women: A systematic literature review
INTRODUCTION: The cost-effectiveness study of syphilis screening in pregnant women has not been synthesized. This study aimed to synthesize the economic evidence on the cost-effectiveness of syphilis screening in pregnant...
Comparative risk of adverse perinatal outcomes associated with classes of antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women living with HIV: Systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended by World Health Organisation as preferred first-line regimen in pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)...
Reasons for disengagement from antiretroviral care in the era of “Treat All” in low- or middle-income countries: A systematic review
Introduction Disengagement from antiretroviral therapy (ART) care is an important reason why people living with HIV do not achieve viral load suppression become unwell. Methods We searched two databases and...
Rapid systematic review of interventions to improve antenatal screening rates for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV in low- and middle-income countries
Background: Infectious diseases including syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organization...
Mental health burden among females living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
Mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, are common in women and young girls living with HIV/ AIDS particularly in low- and middle-income (LMICs) countries where women’s vulnerability to psychiatric...
The safety and immunogenicity of vaccines administered to pregnant women living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants have a higher burden of infectious diseases related morbidity and mortality compared with HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU). Immunization of pregnant women living with...
Scoping review of HIV-related intersectional stigma among sexual and gender minorities in sub-Saharan Africa
OBJECTIVES: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are disproportionately impacted by HIV and often face multiple HIV-related stigmas. Addressing these stigmas could reduce SGM HIV vulnerability...
Facility-based indicators to manage and scale up cervical cancer prevention and care services for women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A three-round online Delphi consensus method
BACKGROUND: Of women with cervical cancer (CC) and HIV, 85% live in sub-Saharan Africa, where 21% of all CC cases are attributable to HIV infection. We aimed to generate internationally...
