Category Archives: Health Systems
Systematic review of facility-based sexual and reproductive health services for female sex workers in Africa
BACKGROUND: Several biological, behavioural, and structural risk factors place female sex workers (FSWs) at heightened risk of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other adverse sexual and reproductive health (SRH)...
The role of nurses in HIV screening in health care facilities: A systematic review
OBJECTIVE: To examine nurse-driven HIV screening in various health care settings in terms of its impact on test offering, acceptance and delivery rates, nursing responsibilities, staff perceptions and long-term implementation....
Taking culture seriously in biomedical HIV prevention trials: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies
A substantial gap exists between widespread acknowledgement of the importance of incorporating cultural sensitivity in biomedical HIV prevention trials and empirical evidence to guide the operationalization of cultural sensitivity in...
A systematic review of the inclusion (or exclusion) of women in HIV research: From clinical studies of antiretrovirals and vaccines to cure strategies
INTRODUCTION: The effect of clinical interventions can differ due to sex/gender. Studies have shown that women are often underrepresented in medical research. The aim of this systematic literature review was...
Factors affecting adherence to short-course ARV prophylaxis for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A review and lessons for future elimination
Despite the biomedical potential to eliminate vertical HIV transmission, drug adherence to short regimens is often sub-optimal. To inform future programmes, we reviewed evidence on the factors influencing maternal and...
A systematic review of strategies for partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS
This review compares the effects of various sexually transmitted disease (STD) partner-notification strategies. Using review methods endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration, it updates previous reviews, and addresses some of their...
Health and welfare effects of integrating AIDS treatment with food assistance in resource constrained settings: A systematic review of theory and evidence
The article systematically reviews theory and existing empirical evidence on the health and welfare effects of integrating AIDS treatment with food assistance. While theoretical predictions point to possible improvements in...
Barriers to care for rural people living with HIV: A review of domestic research and health care models
Historically, the availability of heath care in rural areas has been sparse, and specialized care for people living with HIV (PLWH) has been especially problematic. Rural patients are faced with...
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and treatment outcomes among conflict-affected and forcibly displaced populations: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Optimal adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is required to promote viral suppression and to prevent disease progression and mortality. Forcibly displaced and conflict-affected populations may face challenges...
Challenges, coping strategies, and recommendations related to the HIV services field in the HAART era: A systematic literature review of qualitative studies from the United States and Canada
Qualitative research methods have been utilized to study the nature of work in the HIV services field. Yet current literature lacks a Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment (HAART) era compendium of...
Evidence behind the WHO guidelines: Hospital Care for Children: The usefulness of azole prophylaxis against cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-positive children
The World Health Organization has produced guidelines for the management of common illnesses in hospitals with limited resources. This series reviews the scientific evidence behind WHO’s recommendations. The WHO guidelines...
