Category Archives: Health Systems
Access and utilization of HIV/STI testing services among men who have sex with men during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to bear the disproportionate burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic...
High HIV viral suppression among adults receiving WHO-recommended first-line dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of programmatic evidence
Background This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed viral suppression among adults receiving WHO-recommended first-line dolutegravir-based ART in programmatic settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods A systematic search of...
Integration of mental health and HIV service delivery in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of effectiveness
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and mental health have complex, bidirectional impacts. Integrated service delivery, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources are most limited and the burden of...
Characterization and risk stratification of coronary artery disease in people living with HIV: A global systematic review
Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). Risk stratification remains inconsistent due to geographic disparities, ART-related metabolic effects, and overreliance...
Maternal HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy: Implications for vertical transmission, fetal safety, and long-term infant outcomes
HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) continues to pose a significant public health challenge, especially in regions with limited resources, although the worldwide distribution of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has drastically lowered the...
Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis retention among men who have sex with men and transgender persons: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Successful implementation of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires retention in PrEP care among those with an increased likelihood of HIV. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of retention on...
Interventions to support breastfeeding among mothers living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding improves infant survival, especially in low-resource settings. Although the risk of postnatal transmission is below 1% among virologically suppressed mothers living with HIV, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates and...
Effectiveness of conditional cash transfers for uptake and retention in HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of conditional cash transfers for the uptake and retention in prevention of mother-to-child...
Advanced stage disease progression and mortality rate before and after the implementation of the Universal Test and Treat strategy (UTT) for HIV patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The universal test and treat (UTT) program, is a strategy for eliminating HIV and, it involves screening all populations at risk for HIV infection, initiating early treatment for those...
Prevalence of opportunistic bacterial infections (tuberculosis and pneumonia) among people with HIV in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are more vulnerable to opportunistic bacterial infections, which include tuberculosis and pneumonia. This systematic review...
