Category Archives: Treatment
Implementation of point of care HIV viral load monitoring for people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review on implementation research outcomes
BACKGROUND: Viral load monitoring has rapidly increased among people living with HIV(PLHIV) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), resulting in an increased laboratory workload. The use of innovative Point of...
Syndemics and clinical impact of HIV and mental health conditions among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV (PLWH) may be exposed to harmful political, social, economic and environmental factors that exacerbate their risk of mental health conditions. Such factors can interact synergistically...
Alcohol use and the care continuum for HIV preexposure prophylaxis: An updated scoping review of research and interventions
Rationale In 2007, WHO issued emergency recommendations on empiric treatment of sputum acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-negative patients with possible tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-prevalent areas, and called for operational research to...
Alternative administration of antiretroviral therapy in people with HIV unable to swallow: A scoping review
PURPOSE: To review published evidence on alternative administration methods for antiretroviral therapy in patients unable to swallow tablets. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review using PubMed, Web of Science, and...
Effects of transition from paediatric to adult HIV care on virological outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: HIV remains a major global burden, with 2.4 million children and adolescents affected, 84% living in sub-Saharan Africa. As adolescents age, transitioning from paediatric to adult HIV care represents a...
Global coverage of interventions for reduction of injecting drug use-related harm, HIV, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis in prisons and other carceral settings: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: People who are incarcerated experience disproportionately high rates of injecting drug use and infectious disease, including HIV, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis. However, comprehensive global data regarding the availability of...
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...
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between antiretroviral therapy refill type and viral suppression
To reduce barriers to viral suppression, people living with HIV (PLWH) are placed on multi-month dispensing (MMD)of antiretroviral therapy medication. However, there are concerns about viral rebound following MMD initiation,...
Effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) interventions on ART adherence among people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for HIV treatment, yet maintaining high adherence remains challenging in resource-limited settings. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer a scalable approach to support adherence. This meta-analysis...
Incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up among adults on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Background Loss to follow-up (LTFU) from antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a major public health concern worldwide, including in Ethiopia. However, nationally representative pooled cohort data on LTFU among adults receiving...
Surveillance of HIV-1 drug resistance in Tanzania across the pre- and post-dolutegravir eras: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence, mutation patterns, and factors associated with HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in Tanzania. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase from January 1, 2006, to...
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the MENA region: A systematic review with comparative evidence from sub-Saharan Africa
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces distinct challenges in addressing the HIV epidemic, including social stigma, limited surveillance data, and insufficient coverage of prevention services. Prevention of...
