Uptake of Home-Based Voluntary HIV Testing in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

IntroductionVoluntary HIV testing is a vital preventive measure to reduce HIV transmission. Existing evidence on the association between HIV-related knowledge and HIV testing service utilisation shows inconsistent findings. Therefore, the aim of this review is to assess whether knowledge of HIV is related to improvement in voluntary HIV testing service utilisation among university students in Sub-Saharan Africa.Methods and analysisA systematic review of studies on the association of HIV-related knowledge and voluntary HIV testing service utilisation among university students will be conducted. We will search several electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, African Journals Online, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, for all study types looking at the association between HIV-related knowledge and voluntary HIV testing service utilisation. Two reviewers will independently screen all retrieved records and full-text articles and extract data. The Higgins I2 test will be used to assess heterogeneity between studies. Random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted, if feasible and appropriate. Additional analyses will be performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Stata statistical software (V.14) will be used to analyse the data.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethical approval is not required because the systematic review relies on primary studies. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation and the popular press.

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Systematic review and meta-analysis of community and facility-based HIV testing to address linkage to care gaps in sub-Saharan Africa

Nature ◽

10.1038/nature16044 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 528 (7580) ◽

pp. S77-S85 ◽

Cited By ~ 229

Author(s):

Monisha Sharma ◽

Roger Ying ◽

Gillian Tarr ◽

Ruanne Barnabas

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Linkage To Care ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Care Gaps ◽

Sub Saharan

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P007 Uptake of couples HIV testing and counselling in sub-saharan africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.219 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Tewodros Getachew Hailemariam ◽

Sally Nathan ◽

Canaan Seifu ◽

Patrick Rawstorne

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Testing And Counselling ◽

Sub Saharan

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Uptake of couples HIV testing and counselling among heterosexual couples in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIDS Care ◽

10.1080/09540121.2019.1619667 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 137-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tewodros Getachew Hailemariam ◽

Sally Nathan ◽

Canaan Negash Seifu ◽

Patrick Rawstorne

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Heterosexual Couples ◽

Hiv Testing And Counselling ◽

Sub Saharan

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A systematic review and network meta-analyses to assess the effectiveness of HIV self-testing distribution strategies

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciab029 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ingrid Eshun-Wilson ◽

Muhammad S Jamil ◽

Witzel T. Charles ◽

Dave V Glidden ◽

Johnson Cheryl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Web Based ◽

Standard Testing ◽

Self Testing ◽

Testing Uptake ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to identify which HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution strategies are most effective. Methods We abstracted data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies published between June 4, 2006 and June 4, 2019. Results We included 33 studies, yielding six HIVST distribution strategies. All distribution strategies increased testing uptake compared to standard testing: in sub-Saharan Africa, partner HIVST distribution ranked highest (78% probability); in North America, Asia and the Pacific regions, web-based distribution ranked highest (93% probability), and facility based distribution ranked second in all settings. Across HIVST distribution strategies HIV positivity and linkage was similar to standard testing. Conclusion A range of HIVST distribution strategies are effective in increasing HIV testing. HIVST distribution by sexual partners, web-based distribution, as well as health facility distribution strategies should be considered for implementation to expand the reach of HIV testing services.

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Predictors of lost to follow up from antiretroviral therapy among adults in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-021-00822-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hafte Kahsay Kebede ◽

Lillian Mwanri ◽

Paul Ward ◽

Hailay Abrha Gesesew

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Care Services ◽

Validity Assessment ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Lost To Follow Up

Abstract Background It is known that ‘drop out’ from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, the so called lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) occurs to persons enrolled in HIV care services. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the risk factors for the LTFU are not well understood. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for LTFU among adults living with HIV in SSA. A systematic search of literature using identified keywords and index terms was conducted across five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included quantitative studies published in English from 2002 to 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for methodological validity assessment and data extraction. Mantel Haenszel method using Revman-5 software was used for meta-analysis. We demonstrated the meta-analytic measure of association using pooled odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and heterogeneity using I2 tests. Results Thirty studies met the search criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Predictors of LTFU were: demographic factors including being: (i) a male (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 59%), (ii) between 15 and 35 years old (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 0%), (iii) unmarried (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.2–1.3, I2 = 21%), (iv) a rural dweller (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.5–2.7, I2 = 40%), (v) unemployed (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.4, I2 = 58%); (vi) diagnosed with behavioral factors including illegal drug use(OR = 13.5, 95% CI 7.2–25.5, I2 = 60%), alcohol drinking (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.4, I2 = 39%), and tobacco smoking (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.3, I2 = 74%); and clinical diagnosis of mental illness (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.2–5.2, I2 = 1%), bed ridden or ambulatory functional status (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.1, I2 = 74%), low CD4 count in the last visit (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9, I2 = 75%), tuberculosis co-infection (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.02–1.4, I2 = 66%) and a history of opportunistic infections (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.7–2.8, I2 = 75%). Conclusions The current review identifies demographic, behavioral and clinical factors to be determinants of LTFU. We recommend strengthening of HIV care services in SSA targeting the aforementioned group of patients. Trial registration Protocol: the PROSPERO Registration Number is CRD42018114418

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