Category Archives: Biomedical interventions
impact of pre-antiretroviral therapy CD4 counts on drug resistance and treatment failure: A systematic review
The continuous rising of HIV drug resistance in low- and middle-income countries and its impact on treatment failure is a growing threat for the HIV treatment response. This review aimed...
A review of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes by delivery models in the Asia-Pacific through the healthcare accessibility framework
INTRODUCTION: In the Asia-Pacific, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a newly introduced public health intervention for minimizing HIV transmission, the coverage of which has remained limited. The best delivery models and...
Impact of male circumcision on risk of HIV infection in men in a changing epidemic context — Systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: WHO/UNAIDS recommended Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in 2007 based on systematic review of observational studies prior to 1999 and three randomized controlled trials (RCTs). To inform updated WHO guidance,...
Religion, faith, and spirituality influences on HIV prevention activities: A scoping review
INTRODUCTION: Strategies to increase uptake of next-generation biomedical prevention technologies (e.g., long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)) can benefit from understanding associations between religion, faith, and spirituality (RFS) and current primary...
Does capacity development increase demand for health services and rights among key populations affected by HIV? A systematic review of evidence from low and middle-income countries
Capacity development is a process by which individuals, organizations and societies develop abilities to perform functions, solve problems and achieve objectives. This systematic review sought to document capacity development interventions,...
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...
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for cancer patients infected with HIV: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy represents a breakthrough in cancer treatment. However, clinical trials of ICI have usually excluded people living with HIV (PLWH). The efficacy and safety data...
A narrative review of continuing professional development needs for pharmacists with respect to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is rapidly increasing in use worldwide, with many countries now publicly funding use for high risk populations. Pharmacists, as front-line care...
Socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for HIV transmission in female bar workers in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review
BACKGROUND: Although sex workers are considered a key population in the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), less consideration has been given to female bar workers (FBW), whose primary occupation...
HIV nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global data
HIV nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) has been prescribed to men who have sex with men (MSM) for decades, but the global situation of nPEP implementation among this population remains unclear....
A systematic review of sexual and reproductive health interventions for young people in humanitarian and lower-and-middle-income country settings
BACKGROUND: Accessibility of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in many lower-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) and humanitarian settings remains limited, particularly for young people. Young people facing humanitarian crises are also...
