Interventions for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases among Adolescents Living with HIV: A Systematic Review

While the uptake of antiretroviral drugs has rapidly expanded among adolescents and adults living with HIV, research evidence suggests that people living with HIV have a higher risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With more than 35% of the global burden of NCDs stemming from adolescence, there is a need to comprehend the existing evidence on early prevention, detection, and disease management, especially among the at-risk population. In line with the WHO Global Action Plan, 2013–2020 and “Best Buys”, recommendations on practical interventions for NCDs prevention, this systematic review seeks to synthesise evidence on the current interventions for preventing NCDs among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) and assessing the effectiveness of interventions targeted at preventing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer among ALHIV. A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The bibliographic database search yielded 2588 articles, though only four (4) studies met the inclusion criteria after screening for eligibility. While sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffers the brunt of HIV and NCDs, only one study was conducted in SSA, and three in high-income countries (Brazil and the USA). Physical activity and aerobic exercises (lifestyle interventions) indicated potential beneficial health effects in reducing cardiovascular conditions and improving quality of life among ALHIV. Hospital-based training and a home-based exercise program effectively improved fitness strengths and changes in body composition. Despite the disproportionate global burden of the HIV and NCDs comorbidities, limited adolescent-specific evidence exists on the interventions for the prevention of NCDs among ALHIV. Thus, there is a need for health policy experts and researchers to steer research on interventions focused on the various NCDs among the ALHIV.