Category Archives: Prevention
HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis self-testing among adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) make up a significant share of the world’s burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). Self-testing can increase testing coverage and strengthen the...
Undetectable = Untransmittable: A cross-population systematic review and meta-analysis on awareness and acceptance
The Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) message is a cornerstone of HIV-related public health communication, yet global levels of awareness and acceptance remain unclear across key populations. This study aimed to...
Growth patterns of HIV-exposed and -unexposed infants in African countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the prevalence and odds of poor growth patterns among HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) versus HIV-unexposed (HUU) infants in the era of antiretroviral...
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...
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...
A systematic literature review on pre-exposure prophylaxis as a strategy for HIV risk reduction in the Middle East
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a crucial tool in HIV prevention globally, yet its implementation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces unique challenges. PrEP is...
Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised patients: A targeted literature review
Individuals who are immunocompromised (IIC) may have impaired infection prevention/resolution, potentially causing increased disease severity, complications, and healthcare-system strain. Exclusion of IIC from COVID-19 vaccine trials and limited real-world Novavax...
Effectiveness of digital health interventions in promoting the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care continuum among men who have sex with men (MSM): A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Digital health interventions have demonstrated great potential to advance HIV prevention and care. However, their effectiveness in improving the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care continuum has not yet...
