title: Factors Associated with HIV Testing and HIV Treatment Adherence: A Systematic Review.
abstract: The impact of the global economic crisis on HIV-related access and care remains unclear. The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors and HIV diagnosis, and adherence to treatment, following the 2008 global economic crisis.
  
  
  
  A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus for studies published between January 2008 and October 2016 was conducted. Studies providing data on social, demographic, economic and cultural barriers associated with HIV diagnosis and treatment were included.
  
  
  
  Of 33 studies included, 22 evaluated HIV testing and 11 evaluated treatment adherence. Medical history of a sexually transmitted disease, knowledge of HIV-related risks, and age, were significantly associated with HIV testing in most of the included studies. Absence of social support, and alcohol or substance use, were the most common factors associated with adherence. Financial factors were not as commonly found to be related to access to HIV diagnosis and HIV treatment adherence, compared to knowledge of HIV-related risks and social support.
  
  
  
  The identification of persons who are less likely to test for HIV, and to adhere to HIV treatment, may serve as a guide for public health interventions, especially in resource-limited areas.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Detsis
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsioutis
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States.
authors.forename: Spyridon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Karageorgos
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theologia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sideroglou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatzakis
authors.affiliation: Dean's Professor of Medical Science (Medicine of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology), Chief, Infectious Diseases Division, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, POB, 3rd Floor, Suite 328/330, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mylonakis
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D055118:Medication Adherence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D000074822:Treatment Adherence and Compliance
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: AIDS; HIV; adherence; antiretroviral therapy; systematic review; testing; treatment