Category Archives: Prevention
Technology-delivered psychotherapeutic interventions in improving depressive symptoms among people with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
With the increasing popularity of advanced technology, technology-delivered psychotherapeutic interventions (TPIs) may play a promising role in improving depressive symptoms among PLWHA. However, its effectiveness remains unclear. We aimed to...
The impact, cost and cost-effectiveness of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of modelling contributions and way forward
INTRODUCTION: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new form of HIV prevention being considered for inclusion in national prevention portfolios. Many mathematical modelling studies have been undertaken that speak to...
Providing competent, comprehensive and inclusive sexual health services for men who have sex with men in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review
Although men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmissible infections, sexual health services for MSM in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) remain...
Views of service providers and adolescents on use of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents: A systematic review
This review examines the literature on adolescents’ and providers’ views on access and use of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services. The SRH services referred to in this...
What will it take for the global plan priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV?
BACKGROUND: The 2016 ‘Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free’ global agenda, builds on the 2011-2015 ‘Global Plan’. It prioritises 22 countries where 90% of the world’s HIV-positive pregnant women live...
Risk factors for infectious diseases in urban environments of sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and critical appraisal of evidence
Our world is rapidly urbanizing. According to the United Nations, between 1990 and 2015, the percent of the world’s population living in urban areas grew from 43% to 54%. Estimates...
Interventions to reduce gender-based violence among young people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in low-income and middle-income countries
OBJECTIVE(S): This study explored the effectiveness of gender-based violence (GBV) interventions on young people living with or affected by HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). DESIGN: Systematic review and...
Adherence to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for children/adolescents who have been sexually assaulted: A systematic review of barriers, enablers, and interventions
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a key intervention for preventing HIV acquisition, including following sexual assault. However, uptake and completion rates for HIV PEP are lowest following sexual assault, with only...
Sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus infections: Current trends, and recent advances in understanding the spread in men who have sex with men
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health threat. Although the recent availability of highly effective directly acting antivirals created optimism towards HCV elimination, there is ongoing transmission...
The use of technology for sexually transmitted disease partner services in the United States: A structured review
BACKGROUND: Since the late 1990s, health departments and sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs throughout the United States have used technologies, such as the Internet and mobile phones, to provide services...
Infant feeding practices of HIV positive mothers and its association with counseling and HIV disclosure status in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction: Breastfeeding is the ideal food source for all newborns globally. However, in the era of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) infection, feeding practice is a challenge due to mother-to-child...
Voluntary medical male circumcision and HIV infection among men who have sex with men: Implications from a systematic review
Background: With the rapidly-increased HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men worldwide, the effectiveness of voluntary medical male circumcision as the tool of HIV prevention still remains undetermined....
