Global epidemiology of HIV among dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

HIV transmission and infection among dialysis patients have become a major healthcare concern and a rising threat throughout the world. Our current systematic review and meta-analysis targeted to determine the global epidemiologic state of HIV infection among dialysis patients. Three online databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were searched for eligible studies using specific keywords. 15 studies matched our eligibility criteria and were included in the study. The worldwide pooled prevalence of HIV among dialysis patients was 0.8% (95% CI 0.4 to 1.2) with a high degree of heterogeneity (95%) among the included studies. Substantial variations in pooled prevalence were found among different continents in our subgroup analysis. Africa (21.1%, 95% CI 6.4 to 35.8) and North America (19.3%, 95% CI 0.0 to 39.8) had a higher prevalence of HIV in dialysis patients whereas in Europe (0.3%, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.6), South America (0.7%, 95% CI 0.0 to 1.6) and Asia (0.7%, 95% CI 0.0 to 1.6) the frequency was much lower. Perhaps, due to the lack of awareness and preventive knowledge, insufficient healthcare facilities and breaches in infection control protocols in dialysis centers, risky attitudes and practices immigration issues the prevalence of HIV among dialysis patients in Africa and North America enhanced as compared to that of Europe, Asia and South America. Strict adherence to HIV preventive practices, raising public awareness, and advanced healthcare systems are suggested to reduce the prevalence of HIV among dialysis patients all over the world.