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BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are common among individuals with human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide. In this study, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to estimate the global and regional prevalence of HCV, HBV and HIV coinfections among HIV-positive prisoners.MethodsWe searched PubMed via MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Web of science (ISI) to identify studies that reported the prevalence of HBV and HCV among prisoners living with HIV. We used an eight-item checklist for critically appraisal studies of prevalence/incidence of a health problem to assess the quality of publications in the included 48 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies. We used random-effect models and meta-regression for the meta-analysis of the results of the included studies.ResultsThe number of the included studies were 50 for HCV-HIV, and 23 for HBV-HIV co-infections. The pooled prevalence rates of the coinfections were 12% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-16.0] for HBV-HIV and 62% (95% CI 53.0-71.0) for HCV-HIV. Among HIV-positive prisoners who reported drug injection, the prevalence of HBV increased to 15% (95% CI 5.0-23.0), and the HCV prevalence increased to 78% (95% CI 51.0-100). The prevalence of HBV-HIV coinfection among prisoners ranged from 3% in the East Mediterranean region to 27% in the American region. Also, the prevalence of HCV-HIV coinfections among prisoners ranged from 6% in Europe to 98% in the East Mediterranean regions.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that the high prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection among HIV-positive prisoners, particularly among those with a history of drug injection, varies significantly across the globe. The results of Meta-regression analysis showed a sliding increase in the prevalence of the studied co-infections among prisoners over the past decades, rising a call for better screening and treatment programs targeting this high-risk population. To prevent the above coinfections among prisoners, aimed public health services (e.g. harm reduction via access to clean needles), human rights, equity, and ethics are to be seriously delivered or practiced in prisons. Protocol registration number: CRD42018115707 (in the PROSPERO international).

Child abuse is a problem that needs to be addressed worldwide. This is a cross‐sectional study to estimate the prevalence of child abuse among children aged 3 to 6 years and its associated factors in southern Iran. In total, 5142 participants were selected using multi‐stage random sampling. The estimated prevalence rates of neglect and physical and verbal/emotional abuse among children were 26.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.2–27.6), 59.4% (95% CI 58.1–60.6), and 63.9% (95% CI 62.6–65.1), respectively. The results of logistic regression models showed that the child's sex was associated with physical abuse (odds ratio [OR]boy/girl 1.25; 95% CI1.11–1.41) and verbal abuse (ORboy/girl 1.17; 95% CI 1.04–1.32). However, parents living together was inversely associated with physical abuse (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.25–0.80), verbal abuse (ORboy/girl 0.46; 95% CI 0.25–0.84), and neglect (ORboy/girl 0.53; 95% CI 0.31–0.88). Mother's education (ORuniversity degree/illiterate 0.58; 95% CI 0.35–0.98) was also inversely associated with physical abuse. The prevalence of child abuse in southern Iran is significantly higher than in several other countries in the region and other parts of the world. Social and family factors, including mother's education and parents living together, are important in reducing child abuse and its related mental and physical disorders during childhood. It is essential to train parents of young children about abuse and its negative effects on the health and social performance of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV constitute the main burden of infectious diseases worldwide. Imprisonment is an important risk factor for contracting TB, especially among those living with HIV. This systematic review summarizes the available data on the prevalence of TB among HIV-positive prisoners; which may support improved targeted TB/HIV prevention plans. We electronically examined published studies up to December 2017 with the aim of finding articles that investigated the prevalence of TB in HIV-positive prisoners. MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched with no restriction on language or time. A random effects model was used to conduct the meta-analysis and generate a summary estimate for the global prevalence of TB among HIV-positive prisoners; and subgroup estimates by continent. The meta-analysis included 22 studies published from 1992 to 2016. In total, 2,465 articles were retrieved and 22 papers met inclusion criteria. Eligible papers contained 220,101 prisoners, with 1,611 cases of TB in 6,126 HIV-positive subjects. Globally, the pooled prevalence of TB in HIV-positive prisoners was 32.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 27.5% to 38.2%; p-value for heterogeneity = 0.001]. Results of the subgroup analysis by continent were as follows: Africa, 14% (CI: 8% to 24%); North/South America, 37% (CI: 31% to 44%); Asia, 35% (CI: 12% to 68%); and Europe, 25% (CI: 12% to 45%). Conclusions: The prevalence of TB among HIV-positive prisoners is high worldwide. Screening of TB in this population is essential for the treatment of both diseases. Syndemics of TB and HIV in prisoners during the past three decades have created an alarming situation across the world. Hence, coordinated policies are essential for the early identification and effective treatment of this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parasitic infections are still a significant health problem in rural areas in developing countries including Iran. There is no recent population-based data about the prevalence of human intestinal parasites in most rural areas of Iran. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infection in inhabitants of rural areas of Boyer-Ahmad district, Southwestern Iran. Methods: A total of 1025 stool samples were collected from the inhabitant of 50 randomly selected villages in Boyer-Ahmad Township. The stool samples were evaluated by parasitological methods including, direct wet-mounting, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, zinc sulfate floatation, and Trichrome permanent stain for detection of protozoan infections. Diarrheic samples were further evaluated with a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method for detection of coccidian parasites. Results: The prevalence of both pathogenic and nonpathogenic intestinal parasites in the population was 37.5% (385 out of 1025 cases), some individual with multiple infections. Giardia lamblia was detected in 179 (17.46%), Blastocystis hominis in 182 (17.76%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar in 9 (0.87%), Endolimax nana in 216 (21.07%), Entamoeba coli in 151 (14.73%), Ioedamoeba butschlii in 45 (4.39%), Chillomastix mesnili in 22 (2.14%), Trichomonas hominis in 2 (0.19%) and Dientamoeba fragillis in 2 (0.19%) of cases. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations between protozoan infection (pathogenic protozoa) and contact with animals (OR yes/no = 2.22, p < 0.001) and educational status (OR higher/illiterate = 0.40, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that protozoan infection rate in rural areas of southwestern Iran is still high and remained as a challenging health problem in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been found that the new coronavirus can affect various parts of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular complications caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are often serious and can increase the mortality rate among infected patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 adult patients. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies published in English were conducted between December 2019 and February 2021. A complete search was performed in PubMed (PubMed Central and MEDLINE), Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Ovid, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and WILEY, as well as BioRXiv, MedRXiv, and gray literature. A random effect model was used to examine the prevalence of cardiovascular complications among COVID-19 patients. The I² test was used to measure heterogeneity across the included studies. Results: A total of 74 studies involving 34,379 COVID-19 patients were included for meta-analysis. The mean age of the participants was 61.30±14.75 years. The overall pooled prevalence of cardiovascular complications was 23.45%. The most prevalent complications were acute myocardial injury (AMI) (19.38%, 95% CI=13.62-26.81, test for heterogeneity I²=97.5%, P<0.001), arrhythmia (11.16%, 95% CI=8.23-14.96, test for heterogeneity I²=91.5%, P<0.001), heart failure (HF) (7.56%, 95% CI=4.50-12.45, test for heterogeneity I²=96.3%, P<0.001), and cardiomyopathy (2.78%, 95% CI=0.34-9.68). The highest pooled prevalence of cardiac enzymes was lactate dehydrogenase (61.45%), troponin (23.10%), and creatine kinase-myocardial band or creatine kinase (14.52%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of serious cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients (AMI, arrhythmia, and HF) necessitates increased awareness by healthcare administrators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Detection of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people in each community assists with infection prevention and control. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection among high risk groups in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province, Southwest Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from 2009-2010 in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province. High risk groups for HCV were the subjects of this study. Blood samples were taken from 2009 individuals at high risk for HCV that included inmates, injecting drug users (IDUs), health care workers, patients on maintenance hemodialysis, hemophilic patients, and those with histories of blood transfusions. Patients were residents of Yasuj, Gachsaran, and Dehdasht (3 main townships in the province). Samples were analyzed by ELISA for anti-HCV antibodies. Demographic features of participants were recorded by a questionnaire during sample collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13 software. Results: Of 2009 subjects, HCV antibodies were detected in 172 (8.6%). Rate of infection was higher in males (11.4%) compared to females (3.2%). Rate of infection in inmates was 11.7% while this rate was 42.4% in IDUs, 4.2% in health care workers, and 6.1% in thalassemic patients. Significant correlation was found between HCV infection, history of imprisonment, and thalassemia. Conclusion: Results of this study have provided epidemiologic features of HCV and its risk factors in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province, Southwest Iran. This information may assist in preventing the spread of HCV infection in this and other similar settings in the region. The findings of this study may help in improving surveillance and infection control in the community through management and monitoring of infected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]