Category Archives: Women
A systematic review of individual and contextual factors affecting ART initiation, adherence, and retention for HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women
BACKGROUND: Despite progress reducing maternal mortality, HIV-related maternal deaths remain high, accounting, for example, for up to 24 percent of all pregnancy-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is...
A systematic review of the inclusion (or exclusion) of women in HIV research: From clinical studies of antiretrovirals and vaccines to cure strategies
INTRODUCTION: The effect of clinical interventions can differ due to sex/gender. Studies have shown that women are often underrepresented in medical research. The aim of this systematic literature review was...
Perinatal depression in HIV-infected African women: A systematic review
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on prevalence and incidence of perinatal depression in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected African women. DATA SOURCES: We searched 17 databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane,...
Pregnancy and HIV disease progression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether pregnancy accelerates HIV disease progression. METHODS: Studies comparing progression to HIV-related illness, low CD4 count, AIDS-defining illness, HIV-related death, or any death in HIV-infected pregnant and...
Intimate partner violence and engagement in HIV care and treatment among women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the odds of engagement in HIV care and treatment among HIV-positive women reporting intimate partner violence (IPV). DESIGN: We systematically reviewed the literature on the...
Safer disclosure of HIV serostatus for women living with HIV who experience or fear violence: A systematic review
INTRODUCTION: Supporting individuals as they disclose their HIV serostatus may lead to a variety of individual and public health benefits. However, many women living with HIV are hesitant to disclose...
Disclosure of HIV serostatus among pregnant and postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
Disclosure of one’s HIV status can help to improve uptake and retention in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services; yet, it remains a challenge for many women. This systematic...
Human rights and the sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV – A literature review
INTRODUCTION: Even as the number of women living with HIV around the globe continues to grow, realization of their sexual and reproductive health and human rights remains compromised. The objective...
Hormonal contraceptive use and women’s risk of HIV acquisition: A meta-analysis of observational studies
BACKGROUND: The evidence from epidemiological research into whether use of hormonal contraception increases women’s risk of HIV acquisition is inconsistent. We did a robust meta-analysis of existing data to provide...
HIV, antiretroviral therapy, and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: There are data to suggest that infection with HIV or use of highly active antiretroviral therapy increases the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. This systematic review and meta-analysis...
The safety of hormonal contraceptives for women living with HIV and their sexual partners
BACKGROUND: Hormonal contraceptives are important for the health and well-being of some women living with HIV, so evaluation of evidence regarding their safety vis-a-vis HIV-related risks is important. METHODS: We...
