Co-infection Rates of HIV, HBV, and HCV in Iranian High-Risk Groups
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B and C Virus Co-infections among Iranian High-Risk Groups: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:
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Amir Almasi Hashiani, Farzin Sadeghi, Erfan Ayubi, Shahab Rezaeian, Yousef Moradi, Kamyar Mansori, Behzad Gholamaliei, Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi, Salman Khazaei
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B and C Virus Co-infections among Iranian High-Risk Groups: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Year: 2019 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.3.3
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Co-infection with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) among patients with HIV is a significant public health concern, particularly within high-risk populations such as injection drug users (IDUs) and prisoners. In Iran, previous studies have reported varying prevalence rates of these co-infections, highlighting a lack of clarity regarding their actual rates among those at higher risk. This meta-analysis aimed to provide a systematic estimate of the prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV co-infections among high-risk populations in Iran based on existing research.
Prevalence of Co-Infections Among High-Risk Groups
The meta-analysis included data from 14 relevant studies published up to 2016, analyzing a total of 6,218 cases. The findings revealed that the pooled prevalence rates of co-infections were 1.3% for HBV/HCV, 16.3% for HCV/HIV, 0.5% for HBV/HIV, and 0.5% for HBV/HCV/HIV. Notably, the prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection was significantly higher among individuals studied between 2010 and 2016 compared to those from 2003 to 2009. These results underscore a concerning trend in rising co-infection rates, particularly among IDUs and prisoners, emphasizing the need for targeted health interventions in these vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
The study highlights the seriousness of HCV/HIV co-infection in high-risk groups in Iran, revealing the urgent need for enhanced screening and comprehensive healthcare strategies. With rates of co-infection on the rise, particularly in recent years, policymakers must prioritize addressing these dual infections to mitigate their impact on public health. Strategic measures, including the provision of proper healthcare and educational resources about co-infections, are crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality in Iranian high-risk populations, thereby contributing to broader public health efforts in the region.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the aim of the meta-analysis conducted in Iran?
The meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV co-infections among high-risk populations in Iran, particularly focusing on groups like injection drug users and prisoners.
What were the findings regarding HCV/HIV co-infection rates among populations?
The study found that the pooled prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection among high-risk groups was 16.3%, indicating a significant prevalence, especially among injection drug users.
Why is the increasing trend of coinfections concerning for policymakers?
The rising prevalence of co-infections such as HCV and HIV highlights a pressing public health issue, necessitating immediate policy action to control transmission and provide adequate healthcare services.
What were the limitations mentioned in the meta-analysis?
Key limitations included significant heterogeneity between studies, the use of different testing kits, and potential challenges in identifying occult HBV infections, which can lead to misleading results.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Co-infection Rates of HIV, HBV, and HCV in Iranian High-Risk Groups”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Table:
Table refers to a structured representation of data, often organized in rows and columns. In research and meta-analyses, tables summarize relevant information such as study characteristics, prevalence rates, or results. They provide a clear and concise way to present findings and facilitate comparisons among studies.
2) Drug:
Drug typically denotes any substance used for medical treatment or recreational purposes. In the context of the provided text, it refers to illicit drugs, particularly in relation to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infections among high-risk populations. Understanding drug use is crucial for public health strategies.
3) Study (Studying):
Study represents a systematic investigation into a specific phenomenon or group. In the text, it pertains to research examining the prevalence of co-infections among high-risk populations in Iran. Studies provide empirical evidence that helps identify trends, influences, and patterns in public health and disease management.
4) Viru:
Viru is likely a shorthand referencing 'virus.' Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can lead to various diseases, including HIV and hepatitis. Understanding viral infections is essential for developing targeted treatment and prevention strategies, especially in populations at heightened risk through practices like injection drug use.
5) Male:
Male denotes a gender category, often used in sociological and medical research. In the text, the prevalence of infections is often reported concerning male populations, highlighting differences in risk behaviors, access to healthcare, and susceptibility to infections. Gender-specific data can guide tailored healthcare interventions.
6) Disease:
Disease refers to a pathological condition affecting an organism, often resulting from various health determinants, including infections. In the text, diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are discussed. Understanding disease prevalence among high-risk populations aids in formulating effective treatment and prevention strategies.
7) Alavi:
Alavi is a surname, referential of contributors mentioned in the research. This highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken in epidemiological studies concerning HIV and related comorbidities. Identifying authors fosters transparency and helps to validate the findings through credible scientific contributions.
8) Developing:
Developing refers to countries with lower economic status and typically less healthcare infrastructure, impacting infectious disease management. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced disease prevention strategies in these regions, especially for vulnerable populations at risk of HIV and co-infections like hepatitis B and C.
9) Relative:
Relative pertains to the comparative measure or connection among variables, particularly in healthcare studies. In the broader context, understanding relative risks aids in evaluating the association between specific behaviors (like drug use) and health outcomes, such as the prevalence of HIV or hepatitis infections.
10) Forest:
Forest refers to a visual representation of statistical data, commonly used in meta-analyses to display prevalence rates. Forest plots illustrate the results from multiple studies on a single graph, making it easier to visualize the variability and effect size, notably for co-infection rates.
11) Khani:
Khani refers to an author or contributor within the research context. Acknowledging contributions from individual researchers aids in creating a complete narrative and understanding the collaborative nature of scientific studies involving the prevalence of infectious diseases among specific demographics.
12) Patel:
Patel is indicative of an author in the given research text. Recognition of authors promotes accountability and helps trace research findings back to their originating data, fostering trust within the scientific community and ensuring contributions to critical public health discussions are appropriately credited.
13) Rules:
Rules in a scientific context often represent established guidelines or protocols for conducting research, particularly in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Adherence to these rules—like PRISMA guidelines—ensures the integrity, reliability, and transparency of the study’s findings and conclusions.
14) Blood:
Blood signifies a bodily fluid crucial to the context of infectious diseases, often associated with the transmission of viruses like HIV, HBV, and HCV. Public health approaches focus on understanding blood-borne pathogens to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for at-risk populations.
15) Tai:
Thai refers to the nationality or context of studies specific to Thailand. In reviewing global health, variations in disease prevalence due to cultural, behavioral, or economic factors are significant. This emphasizes the need for localized healthcare strategies based on the unique challenges different populations face.
16) Quality:
Quality in research denotes the rigor and reliability of study designs, methodologies, and findings. The assessment of quality aids in distinguishing credible studies that contribute valuable insights into public health, especially regarding co-infection rates in high-risk populations.
17) Ghana:
Ghana represents a specific geographic location where research has been conducted regarding HIV and hepatitis co-infections. Studying Ghana’s epidemiological data provides a comparison point and context for global research efforts, highlighting regional differences in infection rates and healthcare strategies.
18) Transmission:
Transmission refers to the process through which infectious agents spread from one host to another. Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for implementing effective public health interventions and preventing the spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis among high-risk populations.
19) Reliability:
Reliability refers to the consistency and dependability of measurements and results in research. In epidemiological studies, ensuring reliable data collection is essential for producing accurate findings, which can influence healthcare policies and practices for managing infections among vulnerable groups.
20) Science (Scientific):
Science denotes the systematic study of phenomena through observation and experimentation. In the context of the provided text, it underpins research methodologies and analytical approaches utilized to understand the trends and implications of co-infections among high-risk populations.
21) Indian:
Indian refers to researchers, subjects, or contexts related to studies conducted in India. Acknowledging research from diverse geographic backgrounds emphasizes the global nature of public health challenges and the importance of tailored interventions reflective of cultural and demographic contexts.
22) Kappa:
Kappa is a statistical measure of inter-rater agreement used to evaluate the reliability of data coders in research studies. It quantifies the degree of agreement beyond chance, contributing to the credibility of findings in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
23) Dhar:
Dhar signifies an author referenced in the research findings. Recognizing individual contributors such as Dhar underscores the collaborative nature of public health research and allows for proper attribution of ideas and findings within the scientific community.
24) Ter:
Ther likely refers to a misspelling of 'therapeutic' or a segment indicative of a larger term related to treatment strategies. In the context of the text, it relates to managing diseases like HIV and hepatitis, underlining the importance of therapeutic interventions in public health.
25) Pir:
Peer refers to colleagues or fellow researchers within the academic ecosystem. The peer-reviewed process is crucial for validating research, ensuring that findings are scrutinized for methodological soundness before being disseminated, thus promoting quality scholarship in infectious disease studies.
26) Pur:
Poor typically describes socioeconomic conditions prevalent among certain demographics, particularly those affected by HIV and hepatitis infections. Acknowledging poverty's role in healthcare access emphasizes the need for targeted public health initiatives aimed at improving outcomes in financially disadvantaged populations.
27) Discussion:
Discussion is pivotal in academic writing, encapsulating the analysis and interpretation of research findings. It allows researchers to contextualize their results within existing literature, highlight implications for practice, and propose future research directions, thereby enriching the overall scientific understanding of the topic.
28) Substance:
Substance generally refers to a particular matter or drug that can lead to addiction or abuse. In the context of the text, it specifically relates to illicit drugs, drawing attention to their role in the transmission of infections among high-risk populations, notably injection drug users.
29) Suffering:
Suffering refers to the physical or emotional pain experienced by individuals living with chronic conditions or diseases. In public health discourse, recognizing the suffering of those infected with HIV or hepatitis emphasizes the need for comprehensive care approaches to support affected populations holistically.
30) Epidemic:
Epidemic denotes a rapid increase in the occurrence of a disease within a specific geographic area. In discussions of HIV and hepatitis, acknowledging the characteristics of an epidemic aids in pinpointing public health crises, guiding responsive measures, and refining resource allocation for treatment and prevention.
31) Street:
Street often connotes informal or illegal contexts, especially relating to substance use. In epidemiological studies, understanding dynamics in street environments can help assess risk behaviors among populations, crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies aimed at high-risk groups exhibiting drug-related practices.
32) Money:
Money signifies economic exchange, often relating to issues of poverty and access to healthcare. In the context of addiction and co-infections, financial barriers can impede individuals from seeking necessary medical care or treatment, highlighting the social determinants of health in infectious disease management.
33) Hand:
Hand often symbolizes personal agency or control. In public health discussions, the notion of 'taking matters into your own hands' can emphasize the importance of individual actions in managing health, particularly in regions where public health resources are limited or where personal responsibility is crucial in prevention efforts.
34) Post:
Post can refer to after an event or publication in research. In academic and scientific discourse, discussing findings post-analysis highlights the importance of follow-up, reassessment of methodologies, and developing future directives in research and policy approaches addressing ongoing health challenges.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Co-infection Rates of HIV, HBV, and HCV in Iranian High-Risk Groups’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Hiv, Time period, Research study, Statistical analysis, Quality assessment, Public awareness, Sample size, Public Health Problem, Hepatitis B Virus, Morbidity and Mortality, Preventive strategies, Health policy, Prevalence rate, Meta analysis, Data extraction, PRISMA guidelines, Hepatitis B, HIV infection, Publication bias, Risk factor, Viral hepatitis, High risk group, Clinical Care, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Subgroup analysis, Hepatitis C virus, HCV INFECTION, Confidence level, Drug use, Hepatitis C, Preventive interventions, Sensitivity analysis, HBs Ag, Search strategy, Electronic database, HIV prevalence, High risk behaviour, Increasing trend, Prevention strategies, Injecting drug users, HIV coinfection, Health Policy Makers, Pooled Prevalence, Study Selection, Study Characteristics, Sub-Saharan Africa, Co-infection, High risk population, HIV co-infection, HIV-positive, Funnel plot, Random effect model.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.