Faith-based organisations in providing HIV services within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): a systematic review

To end the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic by 2030, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) proposes that 95% of people living with HIV should be diagnosed, 95% of those with a diagnosis should be on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment should achieve viral suppression. To attain these targets, UNAIDS estimates that community-based HIV services should increase from 5% to 30%. Within low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), faith-based organisations (FBOs) often possess broad societal influence and extensive reach. Thus, many major AIDS organisations expect the collaboration between health and faith sectors to strengthen community-based HIV services. However, limited research has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of existing FBO-based interventions in delivering HIV services.