Category Archives: Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
Gut microbiome alteration in HIV/AIDS and the role of antiretroviral therapy—A scoping review
(1) Background: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in chronic immune activation associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) pathogenesis, non-AIDS-related comorbidities, and mortality...
Non-pharmaceutical interventions for people living with HIV with cognitive impairment: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment (CI) in HIV is often of multifactorial causation, and remains a prominent issue in the age of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), affecting approximately 14% of people...
Effect of micronutrients on HIV-related clinical outcomes among adults living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Context: Micronutrient deficiencies are common and frequently co-occurring among people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally, with consequences for their health and clinical outcomes. Previous reviews of the influence of micronutrient supplementation...
Utilization of modern contraception and determinants among HIV positive women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background The burden of pediatric HIV/AIDS, mother-to-child transmission rate, and unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive women remain high in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Provision of contraceptives is an undeniable strategy to...
Risk of viral failure after simplification therapy without using integrase inhibitors compared with maintenance of triple antiretroviral therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Antiretroviral drug simplification is a strategy to reduce drug exposure and improve treatment adherence. Nowadays, dolutegravir plus lamivudine is the most preferred regimen, which might lead in the future...
Antiviral therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) is a significant cause of blindness in patients with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There are no established guidelines for its treatment, resulting in varied antiviral approaches....
The impact of undernutrition and anemia on HIV-related mortality among children on ART in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Although there have been significant advancements in providing HIV-infected children with access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), the mortality rates have remained unacceptably high. Inadequate nutrient intake or absorption is...
Pre-exposure prophylaxis access, uptake and usage by young people: A systematic review of barriers and facilitators
BACKGROUND: Young people’s sexual health decision-making, including decisions to access and adhere to HIV prevention strategies such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), are influenced by a range of internal and external...
Opportunistic infections among schoolchildren who were on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: The most common and severe cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV- positive children is opportunistic infections (OIs). All HIV-infected children are at risk of developing a variety of...
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV healthcare delivery for females in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
Throughout sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), females are disproportionately impacted by HIV and face generalized but also gendered social and economic barriers to accessing HIV healthcare and services. At the outset of...
Predictors of maternal HIV acquisition during pregnancy and lactation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and narrative synthesis
OBJECTIVES: To eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, global institutions recommend using a risk-guided approach for HIV prevention services in antenatal and postnatal settings. Identifying predictors of maternal HIV acquisition can...