HIV viral rebound in Africa: A scoping review protocol

Reabetswe A. Mere, Muhammad Hoque, Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle, Raikane J. Seretlo

This scoping review seeks to thoroughly map and synthesise the evidence on HIV viral rebound among people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral medication (ART) in Africa. The review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, will look at the reported prevalence of HIV viral rebound, operational definitions, and viral load thresholds used across studies, as well as the demographic, clinical, behavioural, psychosocial, and health system factors associated with viral rebound. The review will identify, screen and synthesise evidence from peer-reviewed literature and relevant grey literature to describe the extent, characteristics and geographical distribution of research on HIV viral rebound across the Africa. It will also highlight methodological limitations, gaps in evidence and areas for priority research in the future. The findings will give a complete overview of the current evidence base, promote evidence-informed HIV policy and programme planning and influence efforts to increase treatment adherence, retention in care and sustained viral suppression. The review will also lay the scientific grounds for the next phases of a doctoral research project that is aimed at the development and validation of an integrated machine learning model for the prediction of HIV viral rebound and antiretroviral therapy interruption in people living with HIV in South Africa.