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Background There is a geographic disparity in the epidemiology of HIV infection globally. These differences are interrelated with the sociodemographic and behavioural circumstances applicable to the respective regions. For instance, the HIV-2 strain is mostly found in West Africa. The most significant number of people injecting drugs (PWID) are in East and South-East Asia, North America, and Eastern Europe; they also have the highest prevalence of HIV among PWID. Spatiotemporal analytical methods use geographic and time-related factors to explain observed spatial heterogeneity; thereby, identifying disease patterns, risk factors, and trends relevant to a particular region. Spatiotemporal analytical methods use geographic and time-related factors to explain observed spatial heterogeneity; thereby, identifying disease patterns, risk factors, and trends relevant to a particular region. Objectives This paper presents a protocol for a systematic review that will describe the methods used in the spatial analysis of HIV epidemiology globally. Methods A systematic literature search of geospatial studies of HIV will be conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Google scholar; with neither language nor date restriction from inception to date. The protocol for this systematic review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO with ID number –CRD42022314604. Results Results will be available once the review is finalised. Discussion This systematic review will identify and report the various spatial analytical methods that have been employed in HIV epidemiology; in addition to highlighting the predominant spatial methodologies applied. |
