Category Archives: Women
Barriers and facilitators to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
Women account for 59% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection cases in sub-Saharan Africa. This impacts the increase in mother-to-child HIV transmission rates and presents challenges to preventive care for...
Assessing the impact, barriers and facilitators of peer-driven interventions on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction: Peer interventions may improve retention across the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) cascade in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a major barrier....
Breastfeeding practices and perspectives in the setting of maternal HIV in high-income countries since the shift in the United States national guidelines: A scoping review
Introduction: United States national guidelines around infant feeding in the setting of maternal HIV were updated significantly in 2023. The updated guidelines encourage evidence-based counseling and emphasize shared decision-making around infant...
Mapping psychosocial interventions for mental health and well-being among pregnant women living with HIV: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Pregnant women living with HIV are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, stigma, gender-based violence, and poor engagement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission services. Psychosocial interventions are increasingly used...
Global prevalence and biopsychosocial correlates of psychological distress among people living with HIV: An updated theory-informed meta-analysis
Introduction: Psychological distress (PD) is common among people living with HIV (PLWH), but prevalence estimates vary substantially. This study aimed to synthesize the prevalence of PD among PLWH and examine...
A systematic review of obstetric mistreatment among women living with HIV
Several studies have established that women living with HIV frequently encounter mistreatment when accessing maternal healthcare. Previous reviews on obstetric mistreatment have largely focused on the general population, leaving an...
Retention in care among women with HIV: A systematic review of treatment continuity during pregnancy and postpartum
Introduction Pregnant women with HIV are at risk of reduced engagement in HIV care during pregnancy and postpartum. Retention in care, defined as continuous engagement in HIV-related treatment and follow-up,...
Models of care for women living with HIV in Europe: A scoping review
INTRODUCTION: With the widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a chronic condition requiring long-term, integrated care. Women with HIV experience distinct clinical, reproductive, and psychosocial...
Perinatal HIV in Europe: Clinical advances and psychosocial challenges—A scoping review
Despite significant biomedical advances in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, residual transmission and suboptimal maternal outcomes persist across Europe. The challenge is no longer primarily virological but...
Empowering women living with HIV through partner-based interventions: A scoping review
Spouses and partners play a crucial role in the well-being of women living with HIV (WLWH), especially in family-oriented cultures. This scoping review examined partner-inclusive interventions to strengthen support systems...
Unmet need for family planning among reproductive-age women living with HIV in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Unmet need for family planning remains a major challenge worldwide, particularly in Africa, contributing to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Reducing the unmet need...
The vaginal microbiome of pregnant people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A pilot study and global meta-analysis
Recent studies reveal that a suboptimal vaginal microbiome (VMB), including the enrichment of anaerobic bacteria associated with multiple female genital disorders, is linked to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes in...
