The prevalence of people who inject drugs among those with HIV late presentation: a meta-analysis

Negin Farhadian,Behzad Karami Matin,Farid Najafi,Mohammad Hossein Zamanian,Maryam Farhadian,Vahid Farnia

doi:10.1186/s13011-022-00439-5

Abstract

BackgroundOne of the most important routes of HIV transmission is through injections of drugs, and this group, due to unawareness of their infection, causes the spread of HIV. The coexistence of other opportunistic infections and diseases with HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) imposes healthcare costs and is associated with high morbidity/mortality rates. Early detection of HIV among PWID is essential to prevent and control the spread of the disease.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of PWID among those with late presentation (LP).MethodsThree electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of science were searched using appropriate keywords. Besides the prevalence data reported for PWID among LP, the other outcomes of interest were LP defined as having CD4 count < 350 cells/μL or HIV or advanced disease defined with CD4 count < 200 cells/μL or HIV at the time of diagnosis.ResultsOf the 160 studies found, only eight met the inclusion criteria. Among those presented late, 36.5% were PWID (95% CI = 24.88–48.17). Compared with men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV-infected PWID had a higher risk of LP [OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 0.96–2.06].ConclusionThe results of this study show that HIV is diagnosed late in the majority of PWID when CD4 is less than 350 cells/μL. Targeted interventions/strategies are highly required to reduce LP among HIV-infected PWID.

Highlights

Detection of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome allows infected people to use prophylaxis against opportunistic infections and beginning immediate treatment for secondary complications
Compared with men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) had a higher risk of late presentation (LP) [OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 0.96–2.06]
Due to the different definitions used in studies to HIV late presentation, only the results of studies used that categorize LP based on CD4 count less than 350 and advanced disease based on CD4 count less than 200

Summary

Introduction

Detection of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome allows infected people to use prophylaxis against opportunistic infections and beginning immediate treatment for secondary complications. There are many public health benefits associated with the early detection of HIV in PWID. Those who are aware of their HIV status are more likely to protect their partners and prevent the further spreading of the virus [13]. One of the most important routes of HIV transmission is through injections of drugs, and this group, due to unawareness of their infection, causes the spread of HIV. The coexistence of other opportunistic infections and diseases with HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) imposes healthcare costs and is associated with high morbidity/mortality rates. Detection of HIV among PWID is essential to prevent and control the spread of the disease

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion