Category Archives: Testing
The uptake of integrated perinatal prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: The objective of this review was to assess the uptake of WHO recommended integrated perinatal prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV interventions in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS...
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for changing HIV-related risk behavior in developing countries
BACKGROUND: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) continues to play a critical role in HIV prevention, care and treatment. In recent years, different modalities of VCT have been implemented, including clinic-,...
Screening for human immunodeficiency virus in adolescents and adults
Context: Human immunodeficiency virus infection affects 850,000 to 950,000 persons in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections annually. Diagnosis of unsuspected HIV infection could identify those who would...
A meta-analytic evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of HIV infection in infants
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in infants. DATA SOURCES: We used studies...
Diagnostic tests in HIV management: A review of clinical and laboratory strategies to monitor HIV-infected individuals in developing countries
We conducted a systematic review on the performance of diagnostic tests for clinical and laboratory monitoring of HIV-infected adults in developing countries. Diagnostic test information collected from computerized databases, bibliographies...
Is there a role for primary care clinicians in providing shared care in HIV treatment? A systematic literature review
BACKGROUND: Despite HIV being increasingly considered as a chronic illness, there is as yet no consensus about how primary care should be integrated with specialty care to provide optimal clinical...
How does the mining industry contribute to sexual and reproductive health in developing countries? A narrative synthesis of current evidence to inform practice
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore client and provider experiences and related health outcomes of sexual and reproductive health interventions that have been led by or that have involved mining companies....
Family planning counseling for women living with HIV: A systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness on contraceptive uptake and pregnancy incidence, 1990 to 2011
BACKGROUND: Family planning is an important public health intervention with numerous potential health benefits for all women. One of those key benefits is the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV,...
Retention in care of HIV-infected children from HIV test to start of antiretroviral therapy: Systematic review
BACKGROUND: In adults it is well documented that there are substantial losses to the programme between HIV testing and start of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The magnitude and reasons for loss...
HIV voluntary counseling and testing and behavioral risk reduction in developing countries: A meta-analysis, 1990-2005.
The effectiveness of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in reducing HIV risk behaviors in developing countries was assessed using meta-analytic methods. A standardized protocol was used for searching, acquiring,...