Category Archives: Prevention
Effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids treatment on lipid pattern of HIV patients: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Even though omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) seem to be effective in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dyslipidemia, their impact is still debated. For this reason, our aim...
Systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on global condom promotion programs
Background: Globally, 1.7 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2018. Condoms are inexpensive, cost-effective, reduce HIV/STI incidence, morbidity, mortality, and unintended pregnancies, and result in health care cost...
A systematic review of mobile phone interventions (SMS/IVR/Calls) to improve adherence and retention to antiretroviral treatment in low-and middle-income countries
The use of mobile health technologies (mHealth) to ameliorate HIV care has considerably risen in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) since 2010. Yet, the discrepancies in the results of accompanying...
Verification of HIV self-testing use and results: A global systematic review
HIV self-testing (HIVST) allows individuals to interpret and report their own test results, thus decentralizing testing. Yet, this decentralization can make it difficult to verify self-testing results, which is important...
Evidence on factors influencing contraceptive use and sexual behavior among women in South Africa: A scoping review
INTRODUCTION: Contraceptive use and sexual health behavior remain a prominent public health concern in South Africa (SA). Despite many government interventions, unintended pregnancies and termination of pregnancies remain relatively high....
HIV and drug related stigma and risk-taking behaviors among people who inject drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
The impact of HIV-related stigma on people living with HIV has been well documented, but there have been few studies examining how drug-related stigma impacts risk-taking in the lives of...
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion in human immunodeficiency virus infected adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a common, life threatening complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related central nervous system opportunistic infection which can be treated by insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). In...
Effectiveness of the female condom in preventing HIV and sexually transmitted infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of female condoms for preventing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains inconclusive. We examined the effects of female condoms on the acquisition of HIV and STIs....
Efficacy and safety of direct acting antiviral regimens for hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection: Systematic review and network meta-analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Various all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens are being widely used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients; however, the comparative efficacy...
Sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV in Muslim-majority countries: A systematic mixed studies review
BACKGROUND: The number of women living with the human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) in Muslim-majority countries has increased significantly in the last decade. These women are often marginalized and face insecure...
