Category Archives: Health Systems
Should trained lay providers perform HIV testing? A systematic review to inform World Health Organization guidelines
New strategies for HIV testing services (HTS) are needed to achieve UN 90-90-90 targets, including diagnosis of 90% of people living with HIV. Task-sharing HTS to trained lay providers may...
Technology-mediated interventions and quality of life for persons living with HIV/AIDS. A systematic review
BACKGROUND: As HIV/AIDS is considered a chronic disease; quality of life (QoL) has become an important focus for researchers and healthcare providers. Technology-mediated interventions have demonstrated improved clinical effectiveness in...
A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions to reduce drug and sexual blood borne virus risk behaviours among people who inject drugs
Opiate substitution treatment and needle exchanges have reduced blood borne virus (BBV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). Psychosocial interventions could further prevent BBV. A systematic review and meta-analysis...
HIV testing in men who have sex with men: A follow-up review of the qualitative literature since 2010
The landscape of HIV testing has changed significantly in recent years following the rise in importance of the ‘treatment as prevention’ strategy and advancements in new HIV testing and prevention...
Impact of telemonitoring approaches on integrated HIV and TB diagnosis and treatment interventions in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
Background: This paper explores telemonitoring/mhealth approaches as a promising real time and contextual strategy in overhauling HIV and TB interventions quality access and uptake, retention,adherence and coverage impact in endemic...
Integrated opioid substitution therapy and HIV care: A qualitative systematic review and synthesis of client and provider experiences
People who use drugs in many contexts have limited access to opioid substitution therapy and HIV care. Service integration is one strategy identified to support increased access. We reviewed and...
PET brain imaging in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy
Effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has lead to a significant reduction in the prevalence and incidence of central nervous system (CNS) HIV-associated brain disease, particularly CNS opportunistic infections and HIV...
China-Africa health development initiatives: Benefits and implications for shaping innovative and evidence-informed national health policies and programs in sub-saharan African countries
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: This review paper examines the growing implications of China’s engagement in shaping innovative national initiatives against infectious diseases and poverty control and elimination in African countries. It...
Diagnostic value and safety of stereotactic biopsy in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with intracranial lesions: Systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value and safety of stereotactic biopsy in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with intracranial lesions via meta-analysis. METHODS: Relevant cohort studies were identified through...
A systematic review of cost-effectiveness studies reporting cost-per-DALY averted
INTRODUCTION: Calculating the cost per disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted associated with interventions is an increasing popular means of assessing the cost-effectiveness of strategies to improve population health. However, there...
