Researchers explored the intricate relationship between HIV infection in Ethiopian women and the development of precancerous cervical lesions, addressing existing inconsistencies in the literature, with the goal of determining the true impact of HIV on the risk of precancerous cervical lesions in this population.
Some studies hint at a significant link between HIV and pre-cancerous cervical lesions, but the strength of this association remains uncertain due to varying results across different investigations.
To address this ambiguity, a research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies specifically focused on Ethiopian women. The results were published in the journal Health Science Reports.
Analysis
Researchers searched reputable databases, including African Journals Online, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed from January 1, 2023, to February 20, 2023. Ten case–control studies, comprising a total of 3035 participants (with 992 cases and 2043 controls), met the inclusion criteria.
Relevant data were extracted and organized within an Excel spreadsheet. The datasets were then subjected to statistical analysis using STATA 14 software. The researchers calculated the pooled effect size utilizing the random-effect model, offering a robust estimate of the relationship between HIV and precancerous cervical lesions. Egger’s regression test and I2 statistics were used to assess publication bias and heterogeneity, respectively.
Results Obtained
The comprehensive analysis revealed that HIV-infected women faced a significantly higher risk of developing precancerous cervical lesions.
The odds ratio stood at 2.86, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 1.79 to 4.58.
The robust statistical evidence shows the substantial impact of HIV infection on the vulnerability of Ethiopian women to developing pre-cancerous cervical lesions.
Conclusions
The study provides a definitive answer to this ongoing debate, highlighting that HIV-infected women in Ethiopia are significantly more likely to develop precancerous cervical lesions. These findings emphasize the urgent need to strengthen targeted screening programs, specifically those tailored to address the heightened risk faced by HIV-infected women. Implementing focused interventions has the potential to alleviate the burden of cervical cancer within this vulnerable population.
Source:
Geremew, H., Tesfa, H., Mengstie, M. A., Gashu, C., Kassa, Y., Negash, A., Dessie, A. M., & Geremew, D. (2023b). The association between HIV infection and precancerous cervical lesion. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of case–control studies. Health Science Reports, 6(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1485
