Category Archives: Treatment
The paradigm of universal access to HIV-treatment and human rights violation: How do we treat HIV-positive people who use drugs?
HIV-positive people who use drugs (PWUDs) are particularly vulnerable for suboptimal access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We conducted a systematic review to identify factors associated with suboptimal HAART...
Early mortality in adults initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: We systematically reviewed observational studies of early mortality post-antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, as defined by...
Nevirapine-based regimens in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND: Nevirapine belongs to the group of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and is commonly administered in first-line treatment of HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: Systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to...
Effectiveness of different models of case management for substance-abusing populations
Case management has been implemented in substance abuse treatment to improve (cost-) effectiveness, but controversy exists about its potential to realize this objective. A systematic and comprehensive review of peer-reviewed...
Response rates to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HCV/HIV coinfection: A research synthesis
Several recent trials have determined varying rates of response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (peg-IFN + RIB) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus-coinfected patients. We sought to identify a...
The Impact of DSM-IV Mental Disorders on Adherence to Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Among Adult Persons Living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review
This is a systematic review of eighty-two published studies investigating the impact of DSM-IV mental disorders on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) adherence and persistence among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)....
A systematic review and meta-regression of temporal trends in adult CD4(+) cell count at presentation to HIV care, 1992-2011
Background. The clinical status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive persons at the time of presentation to medical care has important individual- and population-level implications. Methods. We synthesized the literature on...
Interventions to increase antiretroviral adherence in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of evaluation studies
The success of potent antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV infection is primarily determined by the level of medication adherence. We systematically review the evidence on effectiveness of interventions to enhance...
The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on high-risk behaviour of HIV-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa
INTRODUCTION: High-risk sexual behaviors such as multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, acquisition of sexually transmitted infection (STIs), and non-use of contraceptives persist in HIV patients undergoing care. We conducted...
Barriers to access to antiretroviral treatment in developing countries: A review
OBJECTIVE: To present a review of barriers impeding people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries from accessing treatment, and to make recommendations for further studies. METHODS: Electronic databases, websites of...
Screening for human immunodeficiency virus in adolescents and adults
Context: Human immunodeficiency virus infection affects 850,000 to 950,000 persons in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections annually. Diagnosis of unsuspected HIV infection could identify those who would...
Access to and utilisation of health services for the poor in Uganda: A systematic review of available evidence
Inequalities in the burden of disease and access to health care is a prominent concern in Uganda and other sub-Saharan African countries. This is a systematic review of socio-economic differences...