Systematic review of functional outcomes in youth living with HIV

Youth living with human immunodeficiency virus (YLHIV) often struggle with functional outcomes compared to HIV-negative peers, yet research in this area remains limited, with the total number of studies assessing YLHIV's functional outcomes previously unknown. To address this gap, researchers in this paper systematically reviewed existing studies on functional outcomes in YLHIV by searching three electronic databases (EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Scopus) and selecting studies based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Two independent reviewers assessed titles, abstracts, and full texts, with data screening, vetting, selection, and extraction conducted using Covidence systematic review software. The systematic review identified 16 studies for inclusion, revealing that functional outcomes in YLHIV are notably impaired across multiple domains, including daily living skills, social interaction, interpersonal relationships, academic function, school performance, and psychosocial functioning. These widespread impairments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive, developmentally appropriate interventions that address not only medical care, but also the social and cognitive challenges faced by YLHIV.