Category Archives: Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
Repurposing medications for use in treating HIV infection: A focus on valproic acid as a latency-reversing agent
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA plasma levels below the limit of detection. However, HIV-1 persists in latently infected...
A systematic review of the current status of safer conception strategies for HIV affected heterosexual couples in Sub-Saharan Africa
We conducted a systematic review of safer conception strategies (SCS) for HIV-affected couples in sub-Saharan Africa to inform evidence-based safer conception interventions. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched fifteen electronic databases...
A systematic review of sexual and reproductive health knowledge, experiences and access to services among refugee, migrant and displaced girls and young women in Africa
Adolescent girls and young women are an overlooked group within conflict- or disaster-affected populations, and their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are often neglected. Existing evidence shows that forced...
Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in immunocompromised patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, with immunocompromised patients (ICPs) at particular risk. Therefore, guidelines recommend pneumococcal vaccination for these patients. However, guidelines are...
Interventions to increase testing, linkage to care and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people in prisons: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: While the burden of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is significantly higher among people in prisons compared to the general population, testing and treatment uptake remain suboptimal. The...
Stigma and intersectionality: A systematic review of systematic reviews across HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and physical disability
BACKGROUND: Stigma across HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and physical disability can be co-occurring and may interact with other forms of stigma related to social identities like race, gender, and sexuality. Stigma...
Theory-based interventions in STIs/HIV prevention: A systematic review of the literature in Iran
Background: Various theory-based interventions (TBIs) have been done to prevent STI/HIV. The current study aimed at reviewing the TBIs for STI/HIV prevention in Iran. Methods: We systematically searched 6 English...
Predictors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in primary care among adults living in developed countries: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important because antiretroviral therapies are more effective if infected individuals are diagnosed early. Diagnosis of HIV relies on laboratory testing and...
Influence of faith-based organisations on HIV prevention strategies in Africa: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains of global significance and there is a need to target sub-Saharan Africa since it is the hardest hit region worldwide. Religion and more specifically faith-based...
Risk of cardiovascular disease associated with exposure to abacavir among individuals with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analyses of results from seventeen epidemiologic studies
BACKGROUND: Abacavir’s potential to cause cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is debated. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess CVD risk from recent and...
