The Effect of Early Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in TB/HIV-Coinfected Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The importance of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV-coinfected patients is controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of early initiation of ART (within 2-4 weeks of TB treatment) on several treatment outcomes among TB/HIV-coinfected patients.

Method: A systematic search of clinical trials was performed in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Medscape, and the Cochrane library.

Assessing coverage, equity and quality gaps in maternal and neonatal care in sub-saharan Africa: an integrated approach.

Background: Gaps in coverage, equity and quality of health services hinder the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa as well as in other high-burden countries, yet few studies attempt to assess all these dimensions as part of the situation analysis. We present the base-line data of a project aimed at simultaneously addressing coverage, equity and quality issues in maternal and neonatal health care in five districts belonging to three African countries.

Methods: Data were collected in cross-sectional studies with three types of tools.