Category Archives: Health Systems
Inconsistent condom use and its associated factors among female sex workers in African countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Inconsistent condom use represents the most proximal behavioral risk factor for acquisition and transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus. However, certain situations hinder female sex workers...
A web of risk: Multilevel factors and feedback loops (re)produce HIV ‘risk’ among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men—A global systematic review
BACKGROUND: HIV literature shows that gay, bisexual and men who have sex with other men (GBMSM) experience inequities across social and contextual factors. Given growing inequities, this study used complex...
The burden of sarcopenia in people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis across WHO regions
BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, represents an underrecognized comorbidity in people living with human immunodeficiency virus, and comprehensive prevalence data across WHO regions...
HIV mortality surveillance in Nigeria, a systematic review of trends, determinants, and implications for public health policy
Despite substantial progress in expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and scaling up prevention interventions, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) related mortality remains a significant public health challenge in several high-burden settings,...
Virological outcomes of dolutegravir-based versus other antiretroviral regimens in people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Dolutegravir (DTG) is endorsed as a preferred option for both first- and second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART); however, comprehensive high-quality evidence regarding its virological effectiveness is still limited. This review...
The prevalence and influencing factors of frailty among middle-aged and older adults with HIV/AIDS from a global perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aim: Currently, frailty has become a central issue in health management among middle-aged and older people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) worldwide. The objective is to develop targeted strategies to improve frailty...
Effectiveness and safety of darunavir and lopinavir for treating children and adolescents living with HIV: A systematic review
Introduction Darunavir and lopinavir solid formulations are recommended protease inhibitors for treating HIV. An evidence review of their effectiveness/efficacy and safety in young populations was needed to inform the 2025...
Commonality and co-occurrence of discrete strategies within implementation strategy bundles: Findings from the Living Database of HIV Implementation Science systematic review, 2014-2021
Background HIV services and innovations are delivered through implementation strategy bundles that are often complex, comprising numerous discrete strategies. Systematically characterizing the use patterns of discrete strategies may inform strategy...
PrEP delivery for U.S. adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and narrative synthesis
Despite proven efficacy in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains underutilized among adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the United States (US). This systematic review and...
Interventions to improve HIV care and treatment outcomes among people with HIV who have substance use disorder or at-risk substance use: A narrative review
Substance use adversely affects engagement in HIV care, adherence to medication, and HIV viral suppression. This review assessed the scope of US interventions designed to promote positive outcomes along the...
Effect of BMI on mortality in patients with tuberculosis and HIV coinfection in Asia and Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a major global health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, corresponding to 134 cases...
Barriers and facilitators to the diagnosis of HIV and other STIs in primary care within publicly funded healthcare systems: A systematic review of qualitative studies
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health concern. Primary care (PC) is the ideal setting for their diagnosis. Designing effective strategies...
