Search

Systematic reviews are an essential tool for researchers, prevention providers and policy makers who want to remain current with the evidence in the field. Systematic review must adhere to strict standards, as the results can provide a more objective appraisal of evidence for making scientific decisions than traditional narrative reviews. An integral component of a systematic review is the development and execution of a comprehensive systematic search to collect available and relevant information. A number of reporting guidelines have been developed to ensure quality publications of systematic reviews. These guidelines provide the essential elements to include in the review process and report in the final publication for complete transparency. We identified the common elements of reporting guidelines and examined the reporting quality of search methods in HIV behavioral intervention literature. Consistent with the findings from previous evaluations of reporting search methods of systematic reviews in other fields, our review shows a lack of full and transparent reporting within systematic reviews even though a plethora of guidelines exist. This review underscores the need for promoting the completeness of and adherence to transparent systematic search reporting within systematic reviews.

Objectives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Team conducted a systematic review of US-based HIV behavioral intervention research literature from 2000 through 2004 to identify interventions demonstrating best evidence of efficacy for reducing HIV risk. Methods. Standard systematic review methods were used. Each eligible study was reviewed on the basis of Prevention Research Synthesis Team efficacy criteria that focused on 3 domains: study design, implementation and analysis, and strength of evidence. Results. Eighteen interventions met the criteria for best evidence. Four targeted HIV-positive individuals. Of those targeting populations at risk for HIV, 4 targeted drug users, 6 targeted adults at risk because of heterosexual behaviors only, 2 targeted men who have sex with men, and 2 targeted youths at high risk. Eight interventions focused on women, and 13 had study samples with more than 50% minority participants. Significant intervention effects included increased condom use and reductions in unprotected sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, injection drug use or needle sharing, and newly acquired sexually transmitted infections. Conclusions. Most of the best-evidence interventions are directly applicable for populations in greatest need of effective prevention programs; however, important gaps still exist. (doi:10.2105/AJPH. 2005.076182)

Objective: Research synthesis, through qualitative or quantitative systematic reviews, allows for integrating results of primary research to improve public health. We examined more than 2 decades of work in HIV prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS) Project. We describe the context and contributions of research synthesis, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, through the experience of the PRS Project. Methods: We reviewed PRS Project publications and products and summarized PRS contributions from 1996 to July 2020 in 4 areas: synthesis of interventions and epidemiologic studies, synthesis methods, prevention programs, and prevention policy. Results: PRS Project publications summarized risk behaviors and effects of prevention interventions (eg, changing one's perception of risk, teaching condom negotiation skills) across populations at risk for HIV infection and intervention approaches (eg, one-on-one or group meetings) as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and science evolved. We used the PRS Project cumulative database and intervention efficacy reviews to contribute to prevention programs and policies through identification of evidence-based interventions and development of program guidance. Subject matter experts and scientific evidence informed PRS Project products and contributions, which were implemented through strategic programmatic partnerships. Conclusions: The contributions of the PRS Project to HIV prevention and public health efforts in the United States can be credited to CDC's long-standing support of the project and its context within a federal prevention agency, where HIV programs and policies were developed and implemented. The effect of the PRS Project was likely facilitated by opportunities to directly influence program and policy because of connections with other research translation activities and program and policy decision making within CDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mental health (MH) diagnoses, which are prevalent among persons living with HIV infection, might be linked to failed retention in HIV care. This review synthesized the quantitative evidence regarding associations between MH diagnoses or symptoms and retention in HIV care, as well as determined if MH service utilization (MHSU) is associated with improved retention in HIV care. Method: A comprehensive search of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis database of electronic (e.g., MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO) and manual searches was conducted to identify relevant studies published during January 2002-August 2017. Effect estimates from individual studies were pooled by using random-effects meta-analysis, and a moderator analysis was conducted. Results: Forty-five studies, involving approximately 57,334 participants in total, met the inclusion criteria: 39 examined MH diagnoses or symptoms, and 14 examined MHSU. Overall, a significant association existed between MH diagnoses or symptoms, and lower odds of being retained in HIV care (odds ratio, OR = 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.90, 0.99]). Health insurance status (ß = 0.004; Z = 3.47; p = .001) significantly modified the association between MH diagnoses or symptoms and retention in HIV care. In addition, MHSU was associated with an increased odds of being retained in HIV care (OR = 1.84; 95% CI [1.45, 2.33]). Conclusions: Results indicate that MH diagnoses or symptoms are a barrier to retention in HIV care and emphasize the importance of providing MH treatment to HIV patients in need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical exercise (PE) has not been well studied in persons living with HIV (PLHIV). We conducted an overview of systematic reviews to assess the effectiveness of PE and to determine the most appropriate PE regimen for PLHIV. We used the CDC's Prevention Research Synthesis Project's database and manual searches to identify systematic reviews published between 1996 and 2013. We qualitatively synthesized the findings from five reviews to assess the effectiveness of PE and conducted meta-analyses on CD4 counts to identify the best PE regimen. PE is associated with reduced adiposity and depression, but was not associated with a decrease in HIV viral load. CD4 counts were improved by interventions with interval aerobic or 41-50 minutes of exercise three times per week compared with other modes and duration of exercise. PE appears to benefit PLHIV, but more research is needed to help develop appropriate PE strategies specifically for PLHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among populations most vulnerable to HIV as identified in the national HIV prevention goals is not fully known. This systematic review assessed trends of lifetime self-reported PrEP use and disparities among key populations., Methods: We used the CDC HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis cumulative database of electronic and manual searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from 2000 to 2019 to identify English-language primary studies reporting PrEP use. Two reviewers independently screened citations, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias with the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We estimated pooled proportions and crude/adjusted odds ratio., Results: We identified 95 eligible studies including 95,854 US-based survey respondents. A few studies (6.3%) focused on persons who inject drugs. In 2015-2017, men who have sex with men (MSM) had highest proportion of individuals who used PrEP over their lifetime [13.9% (95% confidence interval: 8.8 to 21.1), k (number of surveys) = 49] followed by Hispanic/Latinos [11.5 (7.1 to 18.1), 12], transgender women [11.2 (5.8 to 20.6), 5], and blacks [9.9 (8.3 to 11.8), 18]. Odds of PrEP use increased by 34%/year [odds ratio = 1.34/year (95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 1.64)] and significantly increased over time among MSM [1.53/year (1.21-1.93)] and blacks [1.44 (1.13-1.83)]. People in the Southern United States [9.9 (4.7-19.7), 8] and youth [7.3 (4.7-11.2), 8] had lower rates and did not demonstrate growth [0.94 (0.29-3.18); 0.82 (0.43-1.55)]. Odds of reporting lifetime PrEP use was twice [2.07 (1.27-3.38)] as great among MSM than non-MSM., Conclusions: Proportions of PrEP use in published surveys have been growing, but remain low for people in the Southern United States and youth, and understudied in persons who inject drugs. Limitations include few studies in certain years, whereas strengths include a large number of respondents. Culturally tailored approaches targeting vulnerable populations are essential in increasing PrEP use to reduce disparities in HIV acquisition.