Category Archives: Health Systems
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...
Use of peers to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy: A global network meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: It is unclear whether using peers can improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). To construct the World Health Organization’s global guidance on adherence interventions, we conducted a systematic review...
Can policy interventions affect HIV-related behaviors? A systematic review of the evidence from low- and middle-income countries
In their response to HIV, many countries have adopted and enacted policies to reduce transmission and increase HIV-related service use. Theoretically, policy-level interventions for HIV prevention have the potential to...
Interferon-free therapies for patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 infection: A systematic review
Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with genotype 3 remains a challenge. The HCV elimination rate with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is lower than the values reported for other HCV...
Resourcing resilience: social protection for HIV prevention amongst children and adolescents in Eastern and Southern Africa
Adolescents are the only age group with growing AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in Eastern and Southern Africa, making HIV prevention research among this population an urgent priority. Structural deprivations are...
Values and preferences on the use of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among multiple populations: A systematic review of the literature
Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of antiretroviral drugs by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV infection. WHO released new guidelines in 2015 recommending PrEP for all populations at...
A comprehensive review of the barriers and promoters health workers experience in delivering prevention of vertical transmission of HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa
Despite significant biomedical and policy advances, 199,000 infants and young children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) became infected with HIV in 2013, indicating challenges to implementation of these advances. To understand...
A systematic review of training interventions addressing sexual violence against marginalized at-risk groups of women
Women from marginalized groups working in occupations such as domestic work are at increased risk for sexual violence. Scarce evidence exists about training interventions targeting such groups. The article aims...
Single-session behavioral interventions for sexual risk reduction: A meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based, single-session STI/HIV interventions to reduce sexual risk taking are potentially effective options for implementation in resource-limited settings and may solve problems associated with poor participant retention. PURPOSE: The...
Challenges in the evaluation of interventions to improve engagement along the HIV care continuum in the United States: A systematic review
In the United States (US), there are high levels of disengagement along the HIV care continuum. We sought to characterize the heterogeneity in research studies and interventions to improve care...
