Older adults at high risk of HIV infection in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Yuan Yuan Wang,
Yuan Yang,
Chang Chen,
Ling Zhang,
Chee H. Ng,
Gabor S. Ungvari,
Xiaohua Douglas Zhang,
Yu-Tao Xiang
Affiliations
Yuan Yuan Wang
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
Yuan Yang
Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
Chang Chen
Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
Ling Zhang
The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & the Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Anding Hospital, School of Mental Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Chee H. Ng
Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic and St Vincent’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
Gabor S. Ungvari
University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Fremantle, Australia
Xiaohua Douglas Zhang
Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
Yu-Tao Xiang
Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
There is an increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in older adults in China, but the findings across prevalence studies have been mixed. This is the first meta-analysis of the prevalence of HIV infection and its moderating factors in older adults in China. Two investigators systematically and independently searched both international (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Sciences and EMBASE) and Chinese (WanFang, CNKI, and CQVIP) databases. HIV infection rates in older adults were analyzed using the random-effects model. Altogether 46 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of HIV infection in older adults was 2.1% (95% CI [1.9%–2.3%], I2 = 99.4%). Subgroup analyses revealed that men who have sex with men (MSM), hospital population samples, publications after 2014, studies conducted in the western region of China, and higher study quality were significantly associated with higher HIV infection rate. This meta-analysis found that the HIV infection prevalence in older adults is significantly higher than the general population in China. Attention should be given to this urgent public health issue, and effective HIV/AIDS preventive, screening and treatment measures are warranted in this population. PROSPERO: CRD42019124286.
