Category Archives: Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
Prevalence and predictors of virological failure among the people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment in East Africa: Evidence from a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression of published studies from 2016 to 2023
Background: Virological failure (VF) significantly threatens the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs in East Africa. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the prevalence and predictors of VF among individuals living...
Evidence on digital HIV self-testing from accuracy to impact: Updated systematic review
BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing has gained momentum following the approval of self-testing methods and novel technological advancements. Digital HIV self-testing involves completing an oral or blood-based HIV self-test with support from...
Understanding HIV-exposed uninfected children: A narrative review
The widespread implementation of antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced HIV-related mortality and mother-to-child transmission. Despite being HIV-uninfected, HIV-exposed children (HEU) seem to face heightened risks of immune dysfunction, cardiometabolic diseases,...
Causes of hospitalisation among people living with HIV worldwide, 2014-23: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Despite improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-related morbidity and mortality remain high. A previous review (2007-14) found that AIDS-related illnesses were the leading causes of hospitalisations. We aimed to...
Depressive symptoms and its determinants among people living with HIV in Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: In Africa, depressive symptoms are prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV), significantly impacting their adherence and overall quality of life. The combined burden of HIV and depressive symptoms worsens...
Prevalence of HIV/syphilis co-infection among men who have sex with men in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are key populations for HIV and syphilis infection, and co-infection with both diseases significantly increases health risks. However, the co-infection of HIV/syphilis...
HIV-1 resistance and virological failure to treatment with the integrase inhibitors bictegravir, cabotegravir, and dolutegravir: A systematic literature review
We describe and analyze resistance-associated mutations (RM) and virological failures (VF) on antiretroviral therapy using the latest approved integrase inhibitors (INIs) dolutegravir (DTG), bictegravir (BIC), and cabotegravir (CAB), together with...
Leveraging U=U in interventions for Black women living with HIV: A scoping review and call to action
Despite significant reductions in the incidence and prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) over recent decades, certain subgroups continue to experience disproportionate HIV-related health disparities. Cisgender Black women, in particular,...
Risk factors associated with human Mpox infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Mpox emerged as a significant global public health concern during the 2022-2023 outbreak, impacting populations in both endemic and non-endemic countries. This study reviews and synthesises evidence on the...
Viral load suppression rate of third-line antiretroviral therapy and its association with gender among HIV patients after second-line treatment failure in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Previous works of literatures on the viral load suppression rate of third line antiretroviral therapy in Africa has produced inconsistent and inconclusive results, with rates varying between 62% and...
Growth of children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Pooled analyses summarising long-term growth outcomes in children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) compared with children who are HIV-unexposed (HU) are lacking. We aimed to summarise the existing literature...
