Category Archives: Health Systems
Barriers to implementation of rapid and point-of-care tests for human immunodeficiency virus infection: Findings from a systematic review (1996–2014)
Implementation of human immunodeficiency virus rapid and point-of-care tests (RDT/POCT) is understood to be impeded by many different factors that operate at 4 main levels-test devices, patients, providers, and health...
Socio-cultural factors influencing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria: A synthesis of the literature
BACKGROUND: Currently, Nigeria alone accounts for 30% of the burden of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This review explores the socio-cultural factors influencing prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) service...
The proportion and trend of human immunodeficiency virus infections associated with men who have sex with men from Chinese voluntary blood donors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive cases associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) have rapidly increased over the past years. The objective of this study is to comprehensively...
The impact of social services interventions in developing countries: A review of the evidence of impact on clinical outcomes in people living with HIV
BACKGROUND: Social service interventions have been implemented in many countries to help people living with HIV (PLHIV) and household members cope with economic burden as a result of reduced earning...
Factors influencing the implementation of chronic care models: A systematic literature review
BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of chronic disease faced by both developed and developing countries is of considerable concern to a number of international organisations. Many of the interventions to address...
Regional and national guideline recommendations for digital ano-rectal examination as a means for anal cancer screening in HIV positive men who have sex with men: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Although anal cancer is common in HIV positive men who have sex with men, few centres offer systematic screening. Regular digital ano-rectal examination (DARE) is a type of screening...
Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus co-infection in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact and program feasibility of hepatitis B surface antigen screening in resource-limited settings
BACKGROUND: Screening people living with HIV for hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is recommended in resource-rich settings to optimize HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and mitigate HBV-related liver disease. This review...
Scarcity of protective items against HIV and other bloodborne infections in 13 low- and middle-income countries
OBJECTIVE: To assess protection of surgical healthcare workers against HIV and other bloodborne infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Literature review based on recent studies assessing baseline surgical...
Trends in task shifting in HIV treatment in Africa: Effectiveness, challenges and acceptability to the health professions
BACKGROUND: Task shifting has been suggested to meet the demand for initiating and managing more patients on antiretroviral therapy. Although the idea of task shifting is not new, it acquires...
A systematic review of treatment fatigue among HIV-infected patients prescribed antiretroviral therapy
HIV treatment requires lifelong adherence to medication regimens that comprise inconvenient scheduling, adverse side effects, and lifestyle changes. Antiretroviral adherence and treatment fatigue have been inextricably linked. Adherence in HIV-infected...
