Category Archives: Prevention
Barriers and facilitators to the diagnosis of HIV and other STIs in primary care within publicly funded healthcare systems: A systematic review of qualitative studies
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health concern. Primary care (PC) is the ideal setting for their diagnosis. Designing effective strategies...
Role of pharmacists in HIV prophylaxis: A scoping review of pharmacists’ services, interventions and outcomes
INTRODUCTION: HIV remains a major global public health challenge, with nearly 1.3 million new HIV acquisitions annually. Despite the effectiveness of pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), barriers to access,...
Knowledge of reproductive-age women about mother-to-child transmission of HIV and associated factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Despite significant efforts to manage and prevent HIV, knowledge gaps persist regarding mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women of reproductive age. Previous studies, limited in scope and producing inconsistent...
Virologic suppression among HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women receiving antiretroviral therapy in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a key global public health priority. In Africa, virologic failure among people living with HIV continues to pose a...
Efficacy and safety of long-acting lenacapavir for HIV treatment and prevention: A systematic review of randomized trials
Background: Lenacapavir is a first-in-class, long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor enabling treatment and prevention with reduced reliance on daily oral adherence. Evidence from randomized trials across indications remains fragmented. We systematically...
Evaluating the effectiveness of digital health interventions for HIV prevention and treatment adherence among transgender populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Transgender individuals face a disproportionate burden of HIV due to systemic barriers including stigma, discrimination, and limited access to gender-affirming healthcare. Digital health interventions (DHIs), such as mobile applications,...
Systematic scoping review on HIV services for males in Sub-Saharan Africa: Access, barriers, and research gaps
BACKGROUND: Access to HIV services among men and boys in Sub-Saharan Africa is a significant public health challenge, exacerbated by cultural norms surrounding masculinity. This scoping review systematically investigates disparities...
Gender-responsive and -transformative interventions in HIV, TB and malaria programmes: A review of evidence
Gender-responsive and -transformative interventions are essential for tackling harmful social norms and discriminatory laws, policies, and practices that drive gender inequalities and health inequities especially for women, girls, and gender-diverse...
Effects of digital health interventions to promote safer sex behaviors among youth: Systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Background Youth aged 15–24 years carry a disproportionate HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) burden. In recent years, different modalities of digital health interventions (DHIs) have been explored to promote safer sex behaviors...
Interventions for thriving in HIV serodiscordant relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
Background HIV serodiscordant relationships, where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative, present unique challenges despite biomedical advances including U = U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). Effective interventions are crucial to support these...
Colliding wars: A systematic review on HIV responses in conflict-affected settings
BACKGROUND: Armed conflicts are an escalating threat to public health, often marked by violence, poverty, displacement and weakened health systems-conditions that mirror the drivers of HIV transmission. AIM: This review...
Obstetric nurses’ approach to evidence-based practice in breastfeeding within the context of HIV: A scoping review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus remains a significant public health challenge, with breastfeeding contributing to the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Although antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces this risk, obstetric nurses face complex...
