Category Archives: Substance Use
Comparing injecting and sexual risk behaviors of long-term injectors with new injectors: A meta-analysis
The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of injection duration on injection and sexual high-risk behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID), in order to inform development of intensive...
The HIV-related risk factors of the cisgender male sexual partners of transgender women (MSTW) in the United States: A systematic review of the literature
Cisgender male sexual partners of transgender women (MSTW) may be at risk for HIV infection. We performed a review of HIV risk factors among MSTW. We searched PubMed database for...
Pre-exposure prophylaxis use and medication adherence among men who have sex with men: A systematic review of the literature
The appropriate use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by men who have sex with men (MSM) can be highly effective at reducing HIV transmission. Our review examined prevalence estimates, sexual behaviors,...
How does hard-to-reach status affect antiretroviral therapy adherence in the HIV-infected population? Results from a meta-analysis of observational studies
BACKGROUND: Socially disadvantaged groups, such as drug users, sex workers and homeless individuals, are labelled as “hard-to-reach” (HTR) in public health and medical research. HIV disproportionately impacts these populations, but...
Risk factors for prescription drug diversion among people living with HIV: A systematic scoping review
BACKGROUND: In addition to numerous infections and frequent pain constantly affecting people living with HIV (PLWH), various risk factors might contribute to prescription drug diversion. The purpose of the study...
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and acceptability among trans women: a review
Transgender (trans) women are disproportionally burdened by the HIV epidemic due to complex structural, psychosocial and biological factors. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a biomedical prevention approach for people at...
Suboptimal recent and regular HIV testing among Black men who have sex with men in the United States: Implications from a meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The continuum of HIV care among black men who have sex with men (BMSM) continues to be the least favorable in the United States. BMSM are disproportionally HIV-infected-but-unaware, despite...
Preventing sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) among sex workers: A critical review of the evidence on determinants and interventions in high-income countries
BACKGROUND: Across diverse regions globally, sex workers continue to face a disproportionate burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs). Evidence suggests that behavioural and biomedical...
Health literacy and health outcomes in persons living with HIV disease: A systematic review
Low health literacy is associated with challenges for those living with HIV including medication non-adherence and poorer health outcomes. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature...
Substance use screening in HIV care settings: A review and critique of the literature
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: People living with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS (PLWHA) experience high prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD). HIV care settings represent a unique opportunity to identify possible SUD, to...
