Trends and projection of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years of HIV in the Middle East and North Africa (1990–2030)

Evidence shows a growing trend of the HIV epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We aimed to project the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in the region from 1990 to 2019 and assess its trend by 2025, and 2030. We extracted the HIV incidence, mortality, and DALY data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and UNAIDS databases. The joinpoint regression model was used to examine changes in HIV trends. The trend changes were estimated by average annual percent change (AAPC). In most countries, an increasing trend was observed in HIV incidence, mortality, and DALY. Specifically, the highest growth in the annual incidence rate was related to Egypt (AAPC = 14.4, GBD) and Iran (AAPC = 9.6, UNAIDS). Notably, Qatar (AAPC = − 5.6, GBD), Bahrain (AAPC = − 3.3, GBD), and Somalia (AAPC = − 4.2, UNAIDS) demonstrated a significant reduction in incidence. Regarding mortality rates, Djibouti (AAPC = 24.2, GBD) and Iran (AAPC = 16.2, UNAIDS) exhibited a significant increasing pattern. Furthermore, the estimated increase in incidence by 2030 was most marked in Djibouti (985%) and Iran (174%). Iran (422%) and Egypt (339%) showed a prominent rise in mortality rates. GBD data showed 16 countries had an increasing pattern in DALY in both genders. According to age and period effects, there was a significant upward trend in incidence, mortality rates, and DALY. Findings highlighted the urgent need for improved prevention and treatment services, including expanding access to HIV testing, promoting safe practices, increasing antiretroviral therapy coverage, and supporting targeted interventions for high-risk populations.