ArticleBMJ open2025
Impact of stigma on the HIV care cascade among older persons living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review.
Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Ethical issues in caring for older persons in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.BMC medical ethics · 2026Article
- Inequalities and determinants of unmet need for SARS-CoV-2 testing in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Madagascar (2020 - 2021).Communications medicine · 2026Article
- Ethical Issues in Caring for Older Persons in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.Research square · 2026Article
- Lived experiences of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS: understanding the dynamics of stigma and discrimination within the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana.BMJ public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionData are limited on the impact of stigma (stigma associated with HIV and/or stigma related to old age (ageism) or both) on linkage to the HIV care cascade among older persons (aged 50 years and older) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Studies have documented the prevalence and determinants of HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and viral load suppression among older people in Africa. However, there is a need to conduct a systematic review to synthesise the findings on the impact of stigma on the HIV care cascade among older people in SSA. The objective of this systematic review is to collate the findings on the impact of stigma on the HIV care cascade among older people aged 50 years and older in SSA. The major research question is: what is the impact of stigma on the HIV care cascade among older persons aged 50 years and older in SSA? METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Collection, Academic Search Premier from the EBSCO platform, Cochrane Central, JBI EBP, Global Health, Social Policy and Practice and Health Management Information Consortium for articles published in English from 2000 to June 2024. The search strategy will include variations of the following terms: HIV, HIV cascade, HIV testing, HIV care or linkage to care, retention in care, viral suppression, older persons, stigma, HIV-related stigma, age-related stigma, ageism, discrimination and intersectional stigma. In terms of study characteristics, the following will be included: epidemiological studies/observational studies/randomised controlled trials and qualitative studies on the HIV care cascade (ie, HIV testing, linkage to care, retention and viral suppression). We will restrict eligibility by focusing on the older population (older persons aged 50 years and older living with HIV) in SSA. The planned limits include timing (2000-2024), geographical coverage (SSA), language (English), copyright (open access publications) and age of the population (50 years and older). The primary and secondary outcomes are drawn from the HIV care cascade, including HIV testing, linkage to care, retention in care and adherence to ART. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not needed since this is a systematic review based on published data. Dissemination will be done by submitting scientific articles to academic peer-reviewed journals. We will also present the results at relevant conferences and meetings. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024534675.
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