Category Archives: Health Systems
Strategies for improving linkage to HIV care after hospital discharge among adults living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review
Purpose Despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), nearly a quarter of people living with HIV (PLHIV) die within six months after hospital discharge due to complications from AIDS-related illnesses....
Mortality and associated factors among children with the double burden of human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis in African countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction The dual burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) in children is leading to significant mortality. Although primary studies have reported wide ranges of mortality rates among...
Incidence and predictors of attrition among children on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective To estimate the pooled attrition rate among HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and identify predictors of attrition in Ethiopia. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources PubMed, HINARI,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
