Category Archives: Health Systems
Integration of HIV, Hepatitis B, and C, and sexually transmitted infections services: A scoping review of the benefits and challenges
BACKGROUND: Integrating clinical programs and services is a cost-effective approach that can improve health and system outcomes. This review aimed to provide an overview of the benefits and challenges of...
Interventions to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
OBJECTIVE: Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, negatively affecting their health and quality of life. These challenges are particularly pronounced in...
Exploring the potential of cognitive intra-individual variability in HIV care and research in adults with HIV: A concept analysis
Cognitive intraindividual variability (IIV) refers to the variability in one’s ability to sustain consistent cognitive performance. This phenomenon is linked to the emergence of cognitive impairment and dementia. The aim...
Effectiveness of digital health interventions for improving antiretroviral therapy outcomes in people with HIV: Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials
Background: Digital health interventions (DHIs) are increasingly used to support antiretroviral therapy (ART) management among people living with HIV. However, existing systematic reviews have largely focused on single intervention types or...
Impact of dolutegravir-based regimens on patient satisfaction and quality of life among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Despite the global scale up of dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens as the preferred first-line therapy for persons living with HIV (PLHIV), no comprehensive evidence exists on its effect on patient-reported...
Structural competency as a global framework for syndemic HIV care: A critical synthesis
The co-occurrence of HIV with mental health disorders, substance use, and tuberculosis continues to constitute significant global public health issues. Syndemic theory elucidates how these conditions interact synergistically to exacerbate...
Peer-led models for improving HIV treatment and care outcomes among adolescents and young people living with HIV in eastern and southern Africa: A rapid review
Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV have poor levels of adherence to treatment and retention in care. Previous reviews highlighted the need for high-quality evidence on peer-led interventions for...
Optimising post-delivery viral load monitoring and HIV care to eliminate breastfeeding-associated HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa: A review
Sustained maternal HIV viral-load (VL) suppression during breastfeeding is essential for eliminating vertical HIV transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although vertical transmission prevention programmes have improved antiretroviral therapy coverage and peripartum...
Artificial intelligence for predicting antiretroviral therapy outcomes in people living with HIV: A systematic review of predictive models, predictors and clinical readiness
BACKGROUND: Machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL) and other predictive modelling approaches are increasingly applied to predict antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes among people living with HIV, yet their methodological robustness...
Integrating smoking cessation into HIV care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and the evidence gap in cost-effectiveness
The prevalence of smoking among people living with HIV (PLWH) is higher than in the general population, and PLWH who smoke are at increased risk of both smoking- and HIV-related...
Exercise as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for non-communicable diseases in people living with HIV: Evidence, mechanisms and clinical implications
Objective To synthesise evidence on exercise for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among HIV clients, emphasising sub-Saharan Africa. Design Narrative review. Data sources Meta-analyses, randomised trials, cohort studies, mechanistic...
Integrated care models for HIV, diabetes and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of effectiveness, implementation and real-world applicability
Background Sub-Saharan Africa faces a syndemic of HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes and hypertension. Integrated care models have been promoted to improve service efficiency and patient outcomes; however,...
