Category Archives: Women
Medication adherence in pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus receiving antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a core strategy proposed by the World Health Organization in preventing mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. This systematic review aimed...
Comparative safety and effectiveness of perinatal antiretroviral therapies for HIV-infected women and their children: Systematic review and network meta-analysis including different study designs
BACKGROUND: Nearly all newly infected children acquire Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) via mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding from untreated HIV-positive mothers. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard...
Risk perception and the influence on uptake and use of biomedical prevention interventions for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review
BACKGROUND: Risk perception has been found to be a crucial factor explaining inconsistent or non-use of HIV prevention interventions. Considerations of risk need to expand beyond risk of infection to...
Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis among women in sub-Saharan Africa: An individual participant data meta-analysis of 18 HIV prevention studies
BACKGROUND: Estimates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence are essential for efforts to prevent and control STIs. Few large STI prevalence studies exist, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)....
The impact of programs for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV on health care services and systems in sub-Saharan Africa – A review
Background: The global scale-up of Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services is credited for a 52% worldwide decline in new HIV infections among children between 2001 and 2012. However, the...
A systematic review of contraceptive continuation among women living with HIV
BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) experience high rates of unmet contraceptive need and unintended pregnancy. Contraceptive method-specific continuation rates and associated factors are critical for guiding providers tasked with...
Psychosocial interventions enhance HIV medication adherence: A systematic review and meta-analysis
About 40 per cent of people living with HIV do not sufficiently adhere to their medication regimen, which adversely affects their health. The current meta-analysis investigated the effect of psychosocial...
Strategies for improving the lives of US women aged 40 and above living with HIV/AIDS: An evidence map
BACKGROUND: While in its early years the HIV epidemic affected primarily the male and the young, nowadays, the population living with HIV/AIDS is approximately 24% women, and its age composition...
Meeting the reproductive health needs of female key populations affected by HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the evidence
Female sex workers and other women at high risk of acquiring HIV have the right to sexual and reproductive health, including the right to determine the number and timing of...
Integration of family planning services into HIV care and treatment services: A systematic review
Evidence on the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of integrating family planning (FP) and HIV services has grown significantly since the 2004 Glion Call to Action. This systematic review adds to...
