Category Archives: Health Systems
The proportion and trend of human immunodeficiency virus infections associated with men who have sex with men from Chinese voluntary blood donors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive cases associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) have rapidly increased over the past years. The objective of this study is to comprehensively...
Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus co-infection in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact and program feasibility of hepatitis B surface antigen screening in resource-limited settings
BACKGROUND: Screening people living with HIV for hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is recommended in resource-rich settings to optimize HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and mitigate HBV-related liver disease. This review...
Scarcity of protective items against HIV and other bloodborne infections in 13 low- and middle-income countries
OBJECTIVE: To assess protection of surgical healthcare workers against HIV and other bloodborne infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Literature review based on recent studies assessing baseline surgical...
Trends in task shifting in HIV treatment in Africa: Effectiveness, challenges and acceptability to the health professions
BACKGROUND: Task shifting has been suggested to meet the demand for initiating and managing more patients on antiretroviral therapy. Although the idea of task shifting is not new, it acquires...
Regional and national guideline recommendations for digital ano-rectal examination as a means for anal cancer screening in HIV positive men who have sex with men: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Although anal cancer is common in HIV positive men who have sex with men, few centres offer systematic screening. Regular digital ano-rectal examination (DARE) is a type of screening...
Investments in sexually transmitted infection research, 1997-2013: A systematic analysis of funding awarded to UK institutions
BACKGROUND: We report the first study that analyses public and philanthropic investments awarded to UK institutions for research related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). METHODS: We systematically searched award data...
Diagnosing acute and prevalent HIV-1 infection in young African adults seeking care for fever: A systematic review and audit of current practice
Fever is a common complaint in HIV-1 infected adults and may be a presenting sign of acute HIV-1 infection (AHI). We investigated the extent to which HIV-1 infection was considered...
Rifapentine for latent tuberculosis infection treatment in the general population and human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: Summary of evidence
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfection are challenges in the control of tuberculosis transmission. We aimed to assess and summarize evidence available in the literature regarding the...
A systematic review of treatment fatigue among HIV-infected patients prescribed antiretroviral therapy
HIV treatment requires lifelong adherence to medication regimens that comprise inconvenient scheduling, adverse side effects, and lifestyle changes. Antiretroviral adherence and treatment fatigue have been inextricably linked. Adherence in HIV-infected...
HIV pre-test information, discussion or counselling? A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region
OBJECTIVES: In the context of a shift from exceptionalism to normalisation, this study examines recommendations/evidence in current pan-European/global guidelines regarding pre-test HIV testing and counselling practices in health care settings....
