SynthesisAIDS research and therapy2025
Factors associated with unsuppressed HIV viral load among children under 15 years in sub-Saharan africa: a systematic review.
Synthesis in AIDS research and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- HIV viral suppression outcomes of Tenofovir- and Abacavir-based antiretroviral regimens among children on ART in Zambia.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundViral suppression among children living with HIV remains suboptimal in sub-Saharan Africa. The marked heterogeneity in suppression rates across countries underscores the need for comparative analyses to elucidate context-specific determinants. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing evidence on factors associated with unsuppressed viral loads in paediatric populations.
methodsA systematic review was conducted to examine viral load suppression among children under 15 years in sub-Saharan Africa. Comprehensive searches were performed across four major databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were published in English between 2010 and 2024, focused exclusively on paediatric populations in Africa, and available in full text. Relevant data were systematically extracted and compiled in a structured Excel database to prevent duplication and facilitate rigorous, methodologically sound analysis.
resultsOf the 161 articles initially identified, 16 met the predefined inclusion criteria for this review. These studies were conducted across multiple sub-Saharan African countries and used various methodological designs. The most frequently reported factors associated with an unsuppressed viral load among children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) were suboptimal treatment adherence, malnutrition, low maternal educational attainment, a high baseline viral load, and missed clinical appointments. Adherence to ART was the most extensively analysed variable, and poor adherence was consistently and strongly associated with virological failure.
conclusionViral suppression among children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa remains unacceptably low. This review emphasized key preventable factors mostly poor adherence. Targeted, urgent interventions are needed to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
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