Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo estimate prevalence of HIV infection in Nigeria and to examine variations by geopolitical zones and study characteristics to inform policy, practice and research.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of bibliographic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Global Health, Academic Search Elite and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and grey sources for studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2019. Studies reporting prevalence estimates of HIV among pregnant women in Nigeria using a diagnostic test were included. Primary outcome was proportion (%) of pregnant women living with HIV infection. A review protocol was developed and registered (PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019107037).ResultsTwenty-three studies involving 72 728 pregnant women were included. Ten studies were of high quality and the remaining were of moderate quality. Twenty-one studies used two or more diagnostic tests to identify women living with HIV. Overall pooled prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was 7.22% (95% CI 5.64 to 9.21). Studies showed high degree of heterogeneity (I2=97.2%) and evidence of publication bias (p=0.728). Pooled prevalence for most individual geopolitical zones showed substantial variations compared with overall prevalence. North-Central (6.84%, 95% CI 4.73 to 9.79) and South-West zones (6.27%, 95% CI 4.75 to 8.24) had lower prevalence whereas South-East zone (17.04%, 95% CI 9.01 to 29.86) had higher prevalence.ConclusionsWhile robust national prevalence studies are sparse in Nigeria, our findings suggest 7 in every 100 pregnant women are likely to have HIV infection. These figures are consistent with reported prevalence rates in sub-Saharan African region. WHO has indicated much higher prevalence in Nigeria compared with our findings. This discrepancy could potentially be attributed to varied methodological approaches and regional focus of studies included in our review. The magnitude of the issue highlights the need for targeted efforts from local, national and international stakeholders for prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment.

Vitamin D Metabolites in Mother–Infant Dyads and Associated Clinical Outcomes in a Population of Nigerian Women

“…Maternal and cord 25(OH)D, 3-epi 25(OH)D 3 , and 24,25(OH) 2 D 3 levels were all positively correlated (r = 0.7, r = 0.84, and r = 0.81, respectively, with p < 0.0001 for all). This is consistent with what has been previously described [ 38 , 39 ]. Most mothers, 70.86%, had sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. In contrast, only 21.9% of the newborns had sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. The prevalence of maternal 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency was 8.6% and 20.6%, respectively.…”

“…The prevalence of neonatal 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency was 30.6% and 47.5%, respectively. These observations suggest that there may not be an efficient transfer of 25(OH)D to the newborn or that there is an independent regulation of 25(OH)D in the mother and the newborn [ 38 , 39 ]. These observations between sufficient maternal 25(OH)D levels and deficient newborn 25(OH)D levels have been reported in several studies [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Determinants of HIV infection among pregnant women in Cameroon: A contribution toward the elimination of vertical transmission in low- and middle-income countries

“…The present prevalence is significantly lower compared to the 2016 and 2019 sentinel surveys with 5.75% and 4.26% respectively among pregnant women (12,13), including the results of studies which reported HIV prevalences of 5.70% (95% CI: 4.93-6.40), 6% (3.0-10.2%) and 7.8% respectively among pregnant women in Cameroon (18–20). Furthermore, the respective prevalence rates of 9.2% and 7.22% reported in the countries of Chad and Nigeria are also of relevance (21,22). Our findings therefore reflect the declining trend of HIV among pregnant women in Cameroon (7.6% in 2009 to 2.9% in 2016 (19,23) and from 3.4% in 2018 to 2.1% in 2022 (24–26).…”