Objective:
The objectives of this systematic review are: i) to identify, appraise, and synthesize the best available evidence on individuals’ experiences of the implementation of the integration of substance use/addiction and HIV/AIDS services in community settings; and ii) to identify barriers to and facilitators of the integration of the services.
Introduction:
The integration of drug use treatment and HIV services has shown to improve HIV prevention, decrease HIV infection and progression, while improving access to social and support services among substance users. Combined pharmacological and behavioral drug use treatments have been proven to diminish behaviors that increase HIV risk, incidence of the disease, and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among HIV-positive drug users.
Inclusion Criteria:
The population of interest in this review are patients who have experienced integrated substance use/addiction and HIV services, as well as health care professionals and policy makers who have been involved in developing or implementing integrated substance use/addiction and HIV/AIDS services. Eligible studies are those that focus on the views, attitudes, understandings, and perceptions of patients, health care professionals, and policy makers resulting from experience in developing or implementing strategies that have or could inform the integration of substance use/addiction and HIV/AIDS services in community settings.
Methods:
Searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINHAL. The search for unpublished studies will include Open Grey, Grey Matters, New York Academy of Medicine’s Grey Literature Report, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Selected studies will be critically appraised by two independent reviewers for methodological quality. Data will be extracted and then synthesized following the JBI meta-aggregative approach.
Correspondence: Joseph B. Nguemo Djiometio, jnguemodjiometio@ryerson.ca
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
© 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute.