Category Archives: Health Systems
Effectiveness of behavioural economics informed interventions for the prevention, screening, and antiretroviral treatment of HIV infection: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Failure to meet international targets set for the human immunodeficiency virus HIV pandemic suggests that more effective public health strategies are needed. New strategies informed by behavioural economics are now...
Modelling methods of economic evaluations of HIV testing strategies in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Economic evaluations, a decision-support tool for policy makers, will be crucial in planning and tailoring HIV prevention and treatment strategies especially in the wake of stalled and...
Effectiveness of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and the need for alternative preventative approaches in immunocompromised individuals: A narrative review of systematic reviews
INTRODUCTION: Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including administration of booster doses, continues to be the most effective method for controlling COVID-19-related complications including progression to severe...
Highlighting and addressing barriers to widespread adaptation of HIV self-testing in the United States
INTRODUCTION: HIV self-testing (HIVST), whereby an individual performs and interprets their own rapid screening test at home, is another tool to increase the proportion of at-risk individuals who know their...
Mental health and psychosocial interventions integrating sexual and reproductive rights and health, and HIV care and prevention for adolescents and young people (10–24 years) in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic scoping review
BACKGROUND: Interventions targeting combined sexual and reproductive health, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) management and mental health care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are few. There is a need to address common...
Interventions to enhance medication adherence in pregnancy — A systematic review
Background: Sub-optimal medication adherence in pregnant women with chronic disease and pregnancy-related indications has the potential to adversely affect maternal and perinatal outcomes. Adherence to appropriate medications is advocated during and...
Does telehealth affect the adherence to ART among patients with HIV? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Several studies have shown different effects of telehealth interventions on adherence to Antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV. This study conducted a meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials...
Strategies to increase couples HIV testing and counselling in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
INTRODUCTION: Couple HIV testing and counselling (CHTC) is associated with measurable benefits for HIV prevention and treatment. However, the uptake remains limited in much of sub-Saharan Africa, despite an expanded...
Characteristics of psychosocial interventions to improve ART adherence in people living with HIV: A systematic review
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to be a significant global public health crisis. The main HIV/AIDS treatment is the antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is highly effective but depends on the patient’s...
Prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among adults taking antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Undernutrition (Body Mass Index < 18.5 kg/m2) is a common problem and a major cause of hospital admission for patients living with HIV. Though sub-Saharan Africa is the most...
Barriers and facilitators to maintaining a high level of polypharmacy adherence in people living with HIV: A scoping review
Objectives: With the prolongation of life span and increasing incidence of comorbidities, polypharmacy has become a challenge for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). This review aimed to identify barriers and...
