Category Archives: Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
Causally interpretable meta-analysis: Application in adolescent HIV prevention
Endowing meta-analytic results with a causal interpretation is challenging when there are differences in the distribution of effect modifiers among the populations underlying the included trials and the target population...
Multiplexed technologies for sexually transmitted infections: Global evidence on patient-centered and clinical health outcomes
INTRODUCTION: Conventional care packages around screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) entail multiple clinic visits and precipitate losses to follow-up. To prevent these losses, multiplexed technologies for STIs (immunochromatographic tests/devices/assays...
The HIV care cascade in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review of published criteria and definitions
INTRODUCTION: The HIV care cascade examines the attrition of people living with HIV from diagnosis to the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and suppression of viral replication. We reviewed the...
What is the optimum time to start antiretroviral therapy in people with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection? A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: HIV and tuberculosis are frequently diagnosed concurrently. In March 2021, World Health Organization recommended that antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be started within two weeks of tuberculosis treatment start, at...
ART initiations following community-based distribution of HIV self-tests: Meta-analysis and meta-regression of STAR Initiative data
INTRODUCTION: Measuring linkage after community-based testing, particularly HIV self-testing (HIVST), is challenging. Here, we use data from studies of community-based HIVST distribution, conducted within the STAR Initiative, to assess initiation...
Cerebrospinal fluid immune markers and HIV-associated neurocognitive impairments: A systematic review
HIV-1 is responsible for the development of a spectrum of cognitive impairments known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). In the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HAND remains prevalent in people...
Association of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy With arterial stiffness: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Incidence of cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV has increased as overall survival has improved because of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Arterial stiffness is a composite indicator of cardiovascular...
Human immunodeficiency virus-positive women’s perspectives on breastfeeding with antiretrovirals: A qualitative evidence synthesis
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women can breastfeed with minimal risk of mother-to-child transmission if taking antiretrovirals. Guidelines surrounding infant feeding for HIV-positive women have evolved several times over the last...
Health system adaptations and considerations to facilitate optimal oral pre-exposure prophylaxis scale-up in sub-Saharan Africa
Following WHO’s 2015 recommendation, countries in sub-Saharan Africa have progressively scaled up oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of combination HIV prevention. PrEP has potential to significantly reduce new HIV...
The effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate on bone mineral density: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD#42017070552) to quantify the impact of oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) on bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of osteoporosis, low...
Cardiovascular risks associated with protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV
Introduction: Cumulative use of some first-generation protease inhibitors has been associated with higher rates of dyslipidemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The protease inhibitors most commonly in use are...
