Category Archives: Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
Estimating the effect of maternal viral load on perinatal and postnatal HIV transmission: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Although a growing body of evidence supports zero risk of sexual HIV transmission from a person with sustained virological suppression, known as U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable), data have been...
HIV-1 drug resistance in children and implications for pediatric treatment strategies: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction Failure in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric treatment challenges led to pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and acquired drug resistance (ADR) in children with HIV (CWHIV)....
Machine learning for personalized risk assessment of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Machine learning (ML) shows promise for sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk prediction, but systematic evidence of its effectiveness remains fragmented. Methods We systematically searched six electronic databases, three preprint...
Meta-analysis of TB & HIV co-infection mortality rate in sub-Saharan African children, youth, and adolescents
Background Despite the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in reducing morbidity and mortality, children and adolescents with co-infections face an elevated risk of death due to their young age and...
Immune responses to vaginal candidiasis in African women: A scoping review of cytokine profiles, T-cell activation, and gene expression
Background Recent immunological studies of vaginal candidiasis in African populations have revealed complex host‒pathogen interactions with implications for therapeutic development and HIV acquisition risk. Objective This scoping review synthesized evidence...
Adolescents’ sexual health during the COVID-19 outbreak: A systematic review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted adolescents’ access to sexual health services, resulting in a decline in their overall sexual well-being. This systematic review explored adolescent sexual...
Aging and HIV: Recent findings in contributing factors
Background: Aging among people living with HIV (PLWH) presents multifaceted challenges influenced by antiretroviral therapy (ART), chronic inflammation, viral coinfections, stigma, multimorbidity, and immunosuppression. Methods: This review synthesizes recent research...
Evaluating HIV drug resistance in the Middle East and North Africa and its associated factors: A systematic review
OBJECTIVE: One of the obstacles to achieving successful treatment of HIV infections is the development and spread of mutations linked to resistance. Thus, it is important to monitor the prevalence...
