Table 3 Description of included studies

Adherence support

Home-based nursing vs. standard care

Berrien 2004 [23]

HIV-positive children. N = 37.

12 months.

Connecticut, USA.

Adherence; Viral load; CD4 count.

Wang 2010 [28]

HIV-positive adults; active or previous heroin addicts; on ART at least 1 month prior to starting study. N = 116.

10 months.

Hunan, China.

Adherence.

Williams 2006 [27]

HIV-positive adults on ART. N = 171.

15 months.

Connecticut, USA.

Adherence; Viral load; CD4 count.

Williams 2014 [29]

HIV-positive adults; on ART; self-reported < 90% adherence to pre-ART medications or to ART; willing to receive home visits. N = 110.

12 months.

Hunan, China.

Adherence; Viral load; CD4 count.

Improved psycho-social wellbeing

Home based nursing vs. standard care

Blank 2014 [25]

HIV-positive adults; understand spoken English; had a diagnosed serious mental illness; able to provide informed consent. N = 238.

24 months.

Philadelphia, USA.

Health related quality of life; Viral load; CD4 count.

Hanrahan 2011 [26]

HIV-positive adults; lived within the city limits of Philadelphia; had a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI). N = 238.

12 months.

Philadelphia, USA.

Psychiatric symptoms; Health related quality of life

Miles 2003 [24]

African American women with HIV who were primary caregivers for at least one child under the age of 9 years. N = 109.

6 months.

USA.

Emotional distress (depression, stigma, worry); Health related quality of life

Wang 2010 [28]

HIV-positive adults; active or previous heroin addicts; on ART at least 1 month prior to starting study. N = 116.

10 months.

Hunan, China.

Quality of life, Depression

Williams 2014 [29]

HIV-positive adults; on ART; self-reported < 90% adherence to pre-ART medications or to ART; willing to receive home visits. N = 110.

12 months.

Hunan, China.

Depressive symptoms; social support; HIV stigma scale.