Association of schistosomiasis and HIV infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) affects up to 56 million women in sub-Saharan Africa and may increase risk of HIV infection. METHODS: To assess the association of schistosomiasis with HIV infection, peer-reviewed literature published until 31 December 2018 was examined and a pooled estimate for the odds ratio was generated using Bayesian random effects models. RESULTS: Of the 364 abstracts that were identified, 26 were included in the summary. Eight reported odds ratios of the association between schistosomiasis and HIV; one reported a transmission hazard ratio of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.2–2.6) among women and 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0–1.9) among men; 11 described the prevalence of schistosomiasis among HIV-positive people (range, 1.5–36.6%); and six reported the prevalence of HIV among people with schistosomiasis (range, 5.8–57.3%). Six studies were selected for quantitative analysis. The pooled estimate for the odds ratio of HIV among people with schistosomiasis was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.2–4.3). CONCLUSIONS: A significant association of schistosomiasis with HIV was found. However, a specific summary estimate for FGS could not be generated. A research agenda was provided to determine the effect of FGS on HIV infection. The WHO’s policy on mass drug administration for schistosomiasis may prevent HIV.