Introduction: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is known as the biggest public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. This systematic review study is carried out to assess the prevalence, de...Introduction: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is known as the biggest public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. This systematic review study is carried out to assess the prevalence, determinants, and risk factors of HIV/AIDS in Pacific countries. Methods: This systematic review study applied Cochrane Library Guideline to search, review, apprise, and analyze the articles related to HIV/AIDS. Both qualitative and quantitative articles were published between 2000 to 2016, in English language and were published in databases such as MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, ProQuest, Springer and PyschInfo. A data extraction sheet was made and a descriptive statistic was applied to analyze the data. Results: Fifty-one studies met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. The United States had the highest frequency of studies on HIV/AIDS (30 studies). The overall prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Pacific islanders was between 1 to 14 percent. The most common determinants of community-based studies were ethnicity and gender, while they were age and ethnicity in the school-based studies and age in the hospital-based studies. The highest risk factors for HIV were substance abuse, number of sexual partners and unprotected sex. Conclusion:The results of the study highlighted the main determinants and risk factors, which provide a framework for public health experts and program planners to focus on different aspects of HIV/AIDS. As HIV/AIDS is a culturally sensitive health issue, developing preventive strategies considering the factors determined in this study will be strongly advised.展开更多
Introduction: While the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is shown to be decreasing in the last few decades, it still remains a serious public health issue in Pacific countries. This study is aimed to review the common barriers ...Introduction: While the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is shown to be decreasing in the last few decades, it still remains a serious public health issue in Pacific countries. This study is aimed to review the common barriers and also preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS among Pacific Islanders. Methodology: This systematic review study on HIV/AIDS was developed based on the Cochrane Library Guideline. Seven online databases which were more frequently used in finding relevant studies were used to search literatures. Using relevant key words, all studies found in the search were reviewed by two independent reviewers and their quality and relevance were assessed. All previous qualitative and quantitative published articles included in the study were published from 2000 to 2016 and in the English language. A data extraction sheet was developed and a descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data. Results: Twenty-two studies met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Many of the studies were conducted in American Pacific countries (50%). Community-based studies were the most common type of studies (72.7%). In quantitative studies, the most common barriers were lack of accessibility to health services and lack of knowledge, while in the qualitative studies they were cultural barriers and access to health services. Educational trainings on sexual health topics were identified as the main preventive strategy. Conclusion: This study highlights the main barriers of HIV/AIDS among Pacific Islanders. It also provides a guide for decision makers to develop and implement new strategies which are sensitive and based on Pacific cultures and beliefs.展开更多
文摘Introduction: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is known as the biggest public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. This systematic review study is carried out to assess the prevalence, determinants, and risk factors of HIV/AIDS in Pacific countries. Methods: This systematic review study applied Cochrane Library Guideline to search, review, apprise, and analyze the articles related to HIV/AIDS. Both qualitative and quantitative articles were published between 2000 to 2016, in English language and were published in databases such as MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, ProQuest, Springer and PyschInfo. A data extraction sheet was made and a descriptive statistic was applied to analyze the data. Results: Fifty-one studies met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. The United States had the highest frequency of studies on HIV/AIDS (30 studies). The overall prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Pacific islanders was between 1 to 14 percent. The most common determinants of community-based studies were ethnicity and gender, while they were age and ethnicity in the school-based studies and age in the hospital-based studies. The highest risk factors for HIV were substance abuse, number of sexual partners and unprotected sex. Conclusion:The results of the study highlighted the main determinants and risk factors, which provide a framework for public health experts and program planners to focus on different aspects of HIV/AIDS. As HIV/AIDS is a culturally sensitive health issue, developing preventive strategies considering the factors determined in this study will be strongly advised.
文摘Introduction: While the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is shown to be decreasing in the last few decades, it still remains a serious public health issue in Pacific countries. This study is aimed to review the common barriers and also preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS among Pacific Islanders. Methodology: This systematic review study on HIV/AIDS was developed based on the Cochrane Library Guideline. Seven online databases which were more frequently used in finding relevant studies were used to search literatures. Using relevant key words, all studies found in the search were reviewed by two independent reviewers and their quality and relevance were assessed. All previous qualitative and quantitative published articles included in the study were published from 2000 to 2016 and in the English language. A data extraction sheet was developed and a descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data. Results: Twenty-two studies met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Many of the studies were conducted in American Pacific countries (50%). Community-based studies were the most common type of studies (72.7%). In quantitative studies, the most common barriers were lack of accessibility to health services and lack of knowledge, while in the qualitative studies they were cultural barriers and access to health services. Educational trainings on sexual health topics were identified as the main preventive strategy. Conclusion: This study highlights the main barriers of HIV/AIDS among Pacific Islanders. It also provides a guide for decision makers to develop and implement new strategies which are sensitive and based on Pacific cultures and beliefs.
