Self-Stigma Reduction Interventions for People Living with HIV/AIDS and Their Families: A Systematic Review.

Stigma is a primary concern for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS (PLWHA), and has great impact on their and their family members' health. While previous reviews have largely focused on the public stigma, this systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related self-stigma reduction interventions among PLWHA and their families. A literature search using eight databases found 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.

Conflicting identities between sex workers and motherhood: A systematic review.

Being a mother is a traditional and central role for women. However, due to criminalization, social stigma and marginalized lifestyles, female sex workers (FSWs) may encounter disadvantages and social inequality. The aim of this review was to synthesize the results of studies focused on the challenges that FSWs face in negotiating their maternal identity with their stigmatized identity as sex workers.

The Socio-Ecological Model Approach to Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to the Accessing of Health Services by Sex Workers: A Systematic Review.

Inequities in accessing health care persist among sex workers. The purpose of the review is to understand the health-seeking behaviours of sex workers and their access to health care services with socio-ecological model. Of 3852 citations screened, 30 met the inclusion criteria for this review.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Salmeterol and Fluticasone Propionate for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Among Chinese populations worldwide, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are often used as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the relative performance among different CHM is unknown.The aim of this study was to evaluate comparative effectiveness of different CHM when used with salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (SFP), compared with SFP alone.

Indacaterol for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Inhaled bronchodilators are the first-line therapy for COPD. Indacaterol is a novel addition to existing long-acting bronchodilators.

Objectives: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) ON efficacy and safety of indacaterol as compared: 1) with placebo at different dosages, 2) with existing bronchodilators; (3) as add-on treatment to tiotropium.

Mycophenolate mofetil for primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: systematic review.

Background: Current treatments for primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), including corticosteroids and cyclosporine, are not satisfactory for all patients and may induce significant side effects. Antidotal benefits of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as an add-on to these immunosuppressive therapies have been reported. This review aims to systematically summarize the efficacy and safety of MMF as a treatment for primary FSGS.

Integrating traditional chinese medicine services in community health centers: insights into utilization patterns in the pearl river region of china.

In China's healthcare reform, community health centers (CHCs) are designed to take a pivotal role in providing primary care. Whilst about 20% of all outpatient care in China is delivered by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sector, hospitals, instead of CHCs, are major providers. Using current patterns of patient utilization this study aims to inform CHCs on how they may strengthen access to TCM services.

Add-on effect of chinese herbal medicine on mortality in myocardial infarction: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

In China, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is widely used as an adjunct to biomedicine (BM) in treating myocardial infarction (MI). This meta-analysis of RCTs evaluated the efficacy of combined CHM-BM in the treatment of MI, compared to BM alone. Sixty-five RCTs (12,022 patients) of moderate quality were identified.

Organizational determinants of interprofessional collaboration in integrative health care: systematic review of qualitative studies.

Context: Inteprofessional collaboration (IPC) between biomedically trained doctors (BMD) and traditional, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners (TCAMP) is an essential element in the development of successful integrative healthcare (IHC) services. This systematic review aims to identify organizational strategies that would facilitate this process.

Methods: We searched 4 international databases for qualitative studies on the theme of BMD-TCAMP IPC, supplemented with a purposive search of 31 health services and TCAM journals.

Emotionless holism: factor and Rasch analysis of the Chinese Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire.

Objective: To examine the Eastern-Western difference in the interpretation of Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire (IMAQ) by assessing the psychometric properties of a revised Chinese medicine (CM)-specific version of IMAQ (CM-IMAQ).

Methods: Factor and Rasch analysis were performed with data collected from a mail survey of 165 Hong Kong Western medical doctors (WMD) randomly sampled from the official registry. The structural validity, unidimensionality, item fit, and differential item functioning (DIF) of the Hong Kong CM-IMAQ were evaluated.

Developing policy for integrating biomedicine and traditional chinese medical practice using focus groups and the delphi technique.

In Hong Kong, statutory regulation for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners has been implemented in the past decade. Increasing use of TCM on top of biomedicine (BM) services by the population has been followed; but corresponding policy development to integrate their practices has not yet been discussed. Using focus group methodology, we explore policy ideas for integration by collating views from frontline BM (n = 50) and TCM clinicians (n = 50).

Views on traditional Chinese medicine amongst Chinese population: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies.

Background: Health-care professionals worldwide have started to appreciate patients' perspectives on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) particularly given its popularity. However, cultural perspectives may vary and it may not be possible to apply research findings on the use of CAM from the west to the east.

Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize usage patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) amongst Chinese populations in different parts of the world and explore potential geographical variations.

Complementary and alternative medicine education for medical profession: systematic review.

Purpose. To help integrate traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) into health systems, efforts are being made to educate biomedical doctors (BMD) and medical students on TCAM. We systematically evaluated the effect of TCAM education on BMD and medical students' attitude, knowledge, and behavior towards TCAM utilization and integration with biomedical medicine.