Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Studies found that the group of men who have sex with men (MSM) is at a very high level of risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Asian regions due to multiple reasons. Although the prevalence of HIV among general people in Asia is considered low, the prevalence of HIV...

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Main Authors: Sultan Mahmud, Md Mohsin, Abdul Muyeed, Md Mynul Islam, Sorif Hossain, Ariful Islam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-03-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023011544
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author Sultan Mahmud
Md Mohsin
Abdul Muyeed
Md Mynul Islam
Sorif Hossain
Ariful Islam
author_facet Sultan Mahmud
Md Mohsin
Abdul Muyeed
Md Mynul Islam
Sorif Hossain
Ariful Islam
author_sort Sultan Mahmud
collection DOAJ
description Background: Studies found that the group of men who have sex with men (MSM) is at a very high level of risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Asian regions due to multiple reasons. Although the prevalence of HIV among general people in Asia is considered low, the prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among MSM in this region was found very high and usually, it goes unnoticed. This study aimed to inspect the prevalence of and trends in HIV, Syphilis, and their co-infection among MSM in Asia. Methods: A systematic search was performed on January 5, 2021, in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. To evaluate the heterogeneity, Q-tests, and I2 were used. To explore the publication bias, Eggers' test and funnel plot were used. The random-effect model and subgroup analysis were performed due to the significant heterogeneity. Results: A total of 2872 articles were identified, and 66 articles were included in the final analysis. The overall prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among MSM was estimated considering 69 estimates from 66 studies whereas 19 estimates of co-infection were found in 17 studies. The pooled HIV prevalence was 8.48% (CI: 7.01–9.95) and the pooled Syphilis prevalence was 9.86% (CI: 8.30–11.41) with significant heterogeneity and publication bias. The pooled prevalence of HIV and Syphilis co-infection was 2.99% (CI: 1.70–4.27) with significant heterogeneity and no publication bias. The HIV, Syphilis, and HIV-Syphilis co-infection prevalence estimates exhibited an upward trend during 2002–2017. Conclusions: HIV, Syphilis, and their co-infection are quite prevalent among MSM in the Asia-Pacific region. Integrated and intensified intervention strategies, HIV testing, and improved access to antiretroviral treatment as well as increased awareness are needed to reduce HIV, Syphilis, and their co-infection among the discussed vulnerable group.
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spelling doaj.art-f439055b68174074b3bcbb9905f984aa2023-04-05T08:19:47ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402023-03-0193e13947Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysisSultan Mahmud0Md Mohsin1Abdul Muyeed2Md Mynul Islam3Sorif Hossain4Ariful Islam5Institute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; Corresponding author.Institute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Statistics, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh-2224, BangladeshInstitute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, BangladeshInstitute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Statistics, University of Dhaka, BangladeshBackground: Studies found that the group of men who have sex with men (MSM) is at a very high level of risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Asian regions due to multiple reasons. Although the prevalence of HIV among general people in Asia is considered low, the prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among MSM in this region was found very high and usually, it goes unnoticed. This study aimed to inspect the prevalence of and trends in HIV, Syphilis, and their co-infection among MSM in Asia. Methods: A systematic search was performed on January 5, 2021, in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. To evaluate the heterogeneity, Q-tests, and I2 were used. To explore the publication bias, Eggers' test and funnel plot were used. The random-effect model and subgroup analysis were performed due to the significant heterogeneity. Results: A total of 2872 articles were identified, and 66 articles were included in the final analysis. The overall prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among MSM was estimated considering 69 estimates from 66 studies whereas 19 estimates of co-infection were found in 17 studies. The pooled HIV prevalence was 8.48% (CI: 7.01–9.95) and the pooled Syphilis prevalence was 9.86% (CI: 8.30–11.41) with significant heterogeneity and publication bias. The pooled prevalence of HIV and Syphilis co-infection was 2.99% (CI: 1.70–4.27) with significant heterogeneity and no publication bias. The HIV, Syphilis, and HIV-Syphilis co-infection prevalence estimates exhibited an upward trend during 2002–2017. Conclusions: HIV, Syphilis, and their co-infection are quite prevalent among MSM in the Asia-Pacific region. Integrated and intensified intervention strategies, HIV testing, and improved access to antiretroviral treatment as well as increased awareness are needed to reduce HIV, Syphilis, and their co-infection among the discussed vulnerable group.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023011544HIVSyphilisCo-infection of HIV and SyphilisMen having sex with men (MSM)Asia
spellingShingle Sultan Mahmud
Md Mohsin
Abdul Muyeed
Md Mynul Islam
Sorif Hossain
Ariful Islam
Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Heliyon
HIV
Syphilis
Co-infection of HIV and Syphilis
Men having sex with men (MSM)
Asia
title Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Prevalence of HIV and syphilis and their co-infection among men having sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort prevalence of hiv and syphilis and their co infection among men having sex with men in asia a systematic review and meta analysis
topic HIV
Syphilis
Co-infection of HIV and Syphilis
Men having sex with men (MSM)
Asia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023011544
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