Category Archives: Health Systems
Prevalence and associated factors of HIV among female sex workers in Eastern and Southern Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Female sex workers (FSWs) are marginalized groups of the population who have limited access to healthcare and a higher risk of HIV infection due to biobehavioral and structural risk...
Men who have sex with men perceiving that sex with women carries the greatest risk of HIV acquisition: Results from a mixed-methods systematic review in sub-Saharan Africa
INTRODUCTION: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), men who have sex with men (MSM) often have female sexual partners. Their overall risk of acquiring HIV is higher with male partners. Risk perception...
Is racism a barrier to HIV care continuum engagement among Black People in the United States? A scoping review to assess the state of the science and inform a research agenda
People living with HIV can achieve viral suppression through timely HIV care continuum (HCC) engagement (ie, diagnosis, linkage to HIV care, retention in care, and adherence to prescribed treatment regimens)....
HBV, HCV and HIV among inmates in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affect 340 million people worldwide and have a high impact on vulnerable populations. The aim of...
“It’s like it’s the old boys club”—The age-related experiences of diverse older women living with HIV: A scoping review and consultative exercise
Objectives HIV is often under-recognized in older individuals, particularly women, despite a significant number of new cases being diagnosed in those aged >50 years. This review aimed to understand the age-related...
Linkage to care and prevention after HIV self-testing: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: Effective linkage to prevention and care is a crucial step following HIV testing services. This systematic review aimed to determine the proportion of individuals linked to prevention and care...
Pre-exposure prophylaxis access, uptake and usage by young people: A systematic review of barriers and facilitators
BACKGROUND: Young people’s sexual health decision-making, including decisions to access and adhere to HIV prevention strategies such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), are influenced by a range of internal and external...
Opportunistic infections among schoolchildren who were on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: The most common and severe cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV- positive children is opportunistic infections (OIs). All HIV-infected children are at risk of developing a variety of...
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its associated factors among children living with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Children living with HIV in low-income settings, such as in Eastern and Southern Africa, are at a high risk for poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy. However, various primary studies presented...
Application of the COM-B model to facilitators and barriers to HIV and STI testing among people from Black African and Black Caribbean communities in the UK: A scoping review
OBJECTIVE: Individuals from Black African and Black Caribbean communities (black communities) in the UK bear a disproportionate burden of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), while exhibiting lower testing rates....
Barriers to PrEP use and adherence among adolescent girls and young women in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa: A scoping review
BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Globally, in 2022, an estimated 4000 AGYW 15–24 were newly infected with HIV weekly, and nearly 78% of...
