Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Barriers And Facilitators To Anti-Retroviral Therapy Adherence Among Adolescents Aged 10 To 19 Years Living With Hiv In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Londiwe D. Hlophe, Jacques L. Tamuzi, Constance Shumba, Peter S. Nyasulu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) significantly affects adolescents globally, with the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reporting a high burden of the disease. HIV testing, treatment, and retention to care are low among adolescents. We conducted a mixed-method systematic review to assess anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence; barriers and facilitators to ART adherence and ART outcomes among adolescents living with HIV and on ART in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We conducted searches in four scientific databases for studies conducted between 2010 and March 2022 to identify relevant primary studies. Studies were screened against inclusion criteria and assessed for quality, and data was …

Barriers To Anti-Retroviral Therapy Adherence Among Adolescents Aged 10 To 19 Years Living With Hiv In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review Protocol, Londiwe D. Hlophe, Jacques L. Tamuzi, Constance Shumba, Peter S. Nyasulu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is fundamental in achieving viral load suppression and consequently attaining positive health outcomes among people living with HIV. However, ART adherence is sub-optimum among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) thus the high AIDS-related mortality even after World Health Organization (WHO) revised HIV treatment eligibility guidelines in 2010, 2013 and 2016. Consolidated trends of barriers to ART adherence among ALHIV aged 10 to 19 years in sub-Saharan countries post each eligibility guidelines revision to date are unknown.

Methods and analysis: We will conduct comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature databases publishing observational studies reporting data …

The Conundrum Of Low Covid-19 Mortality Burden In Sub-Saharan Africa: Myth Or Reality?, Janica Adams, Mary J. Mackenzie, Adeladza Kofi Amegah, Alex Ezeh, Muktar A. Gadanya, Akinyinka Omigbodun, Ahmed Sarki, Paul Thistle, Abdhalah K. Ziraba, Saverio Stranges, Michael Silverman

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

The burden of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been substantially lower compared to other regions of the world. Extensive morbidity and mortality were not observed among countries in SSA during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. To explain this phenomenon, several hypotheses have been formulated, including the low median age of the population in most SSA countries, lack of long-term care facilities, cross-protection from other local coronaviruses, insufficient testing and reporting resulting in an undercounting of COVID-related deaths, genetic risk factors, or the benefit of early lockdowns that were extensive in many SSA countries. Early lockdowns …

Effect Of Community-Based Interventions Targeting Female Sex Workers Along The Hiv Care Cascade In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Lydia Atuhaire, Olatunji Adetokunboh, Constance Shumba, Peter S. Nyasulu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Female sex workers are extremely vulnerable and highly susceptible to being infected with human immunodeficiency virus. As a result, community-based targeted interventions have been recommended as one of the models of care to improve access to HIV services and continued engagement in care. We conducted a systematic review to (1) assess the effect of FSW-targeted community interventions on the improvement of HIV services access along the treatment cascade and (2) describe community-based interventions that positively affect continuation in HIV care across the HIV treatment cascade for FSWs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We defined the 5 steps that …

Effect Of Female Sex Work-Targeted Community-Based Interventions Along The Hiv Treatment Cascade In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review Protocol, Lydia Atuhaire, Olatunji Adetokunboh, Constance Shumba, Peter S. Nyasulu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction: Female sex workers (FSWs) are a known high-risk group that are at increased risk of HIV transmission due to exposure to multiple sexual partners and inability to negotiate safe sex attributed to challenging economic circumstances. Previous systematic reviews have examined the effectiveness of HIV interventions prioritising FSWs and have shown that targeted interventions improve access to HIV prevention and treatment services. Interventions that increase FSWs’ uptake of services are well documented; however, evidence on specific interventions aimed at improving FSWs’ continuity in HIV care along the treatment cascade is lacking. This systematic review aims to document the performance of …

Exploring The Potential For Advanced Nursing Practice Role Development In Kenya: A Qualitative Study, Linda Anne East, John Arudo, Martha Loefler, Catrin Mai Evans

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Definitions of advanced nursing practice abound, yet little has been published concerning the context for advanced nursing in sub-Saharan Africa. This study set out to explore the existence of, and potential for, advanced nursing practice in Kenya.

Methods: Ten nurses were invited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Participants were purposively selected to provide insight into the practice of experienced nurses in urban, rural, community, hospital, public and private health care settings. Interview narratives were recorded, transcribed and subsequently analysed using a thematic approach.

Results: All participants reported that they were engaged in the delivery of expert, evidence-based care. …