Category Archives: Testing
Providing competent, comprehensive and inclusive sexual health services for men who have sex with men in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review
Although men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmissible infections, sexual health services for MSM in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) remain...
Scoping review of access to emergency contraception for sexual assault victims in emergency departments in the United States
OBJECTIVE: We conducted a scoping review of the literature to assess the prevalence of hospital policies regarding emergency contraception (EC) and the frequency that U.S. emergency departments (EDs) provide EC...
Review of the missed opportunities for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in Brazil
OBJECTIVE: The present literature review aims to highlight gaps in the treatment of preventative mother-to-child HIV transmission and the risk factors in Brazil. METHODS: Among the 425 articles identified in...
What will it take for the global plan priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV?
BACKGROUND: The 2016 ‘Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free’ global agenda, builds on the 2011-2015 ‘Global Plan’. It prioritises 22 countries where 90% of the world’s HIV-positive pregnant women live...
Evidence for optimal HIV screening and testing intervals in HIV-negative individuals from various risk groups: A systematic review
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing plays a crucial role in Canada’s HIV prevention and treatment efforts and is the first step to achieving the Joint United Nations Programme on...
Are policy initiatives aligned to meet UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets impacting HIV testing and linkages to care? Evidence from a systematic review
Background: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Fast-Track initiative seeks to eliminate AIDS as a health threat by 2030, with its focus on UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. Effective policies and...
Effect of organizational models of provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) in health facilities on adult HIV testing coverage in sub-Saharan Africa
The purpose of this paper is to identify which Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) organizational models are the most efficient to maximize testing coverage. We conducted a systematic literature...
Crowdsourcing to improve HIV and sexual health outcomes: A scoping review
Purpose of review: This review synthesizes evidence on the use of crowdsourcing to improve HIV/sexual health outcomes. Recent findings: We identified 15 studies, including four completed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one planned...
Integration of HIV testing services into family planning services: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Despite significant interest in integrating sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services into HIV services, less attention has been paid to linkages in the other direction. Where women and girls...
Uptake of couples HIV testing and counselling among heterosexual couples in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
There is a need for further research to inform policy and practice on Couples HIV Testing and Counselling (CHTC) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The aim of this systematic review and...
Performance of non-laboratory staff for diagnostic testing and specimen collection in HIV programs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: In most high HIV burden countries, many HIV patients do not have reliable access to required diagnostic laboratory tests. Task shifting of clinical tasks to lower cadres of health...