Community-led interventions to re-engage people living with HIV into care in Pakistan.

Background: By 2021, Pakistan had an estimated 210 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), and 27% of those initiated into treatment in 2020 had disengaged from care within one year.

Aim: We assessed the effectiveness of an intervention to re-engage PLHIV lost to follow-up into care in Pakistan.

Methods: Between September 2020 and May 2021, the Association of People Living with HIV (APLHIV) implemented a search and rescue intervention for PLHIV lost to follow-up in 2 large treatment centres in Pakistan.

A pediatric HIV outbreak in Pakistan.

Background: Following reports of an outbreak of HIV infection among children in Larkana District, Pakistan, an international team investigated the extent and cause of the outbreak between April and June 2019.

Aims: To investigate the incidence of HIV among children in Larkana District, Pakistan and describe the distribution of cases by time, place and person.

Methods: Self-referred persons were tested for HIV using the national testing protocol.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of parents regarding the red flags of developmental milestones in children aged 0-5 years in Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Developmental delays in children are assessed in four basic domains: gross motor, fine motor, social, and language. Early years of life are crucial in a child's development, so it is imperative that parents be aware of developmental milestones to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment in case of a developmental delay. This study assessed parental knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding children's developmental milestones and associated "red flags".

Frequency and predictors of depression among the elderly population of Karachi.

Context: Depression among the elderly is falsely considered as a normal part of aging and hence remains un-diagnosed in the majority. Elderly people are at a high risk of depression, which may produce a negative impact on their quality of life. Depression is a potentially treatable condition; hence, it is worthwhile to explore its burden in order to ensure its timely evaluation and management.

Examining the effects of HIV self-testing compared to standard HIV testing services in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We updated a 2017 systematic review and compared the effects of HIV self-testing (HIVST) to standard HIV testing services to understand effective service delivery models among the general population.

Methods: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing testing outcomes with HIVST to standard testing in the general population and published between January 1, 2006 and June 4, 2019. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted and pooled risk ratios (RRs) were reported.