HIV test coverage among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test during pregnancy is the gateway to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Estimating the national uptake of HIV tests among pregnant women is an important course of action. Thus, we pooled the information about the national uptake of HIV tests and determined the significant factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. We also searched for cross-references to get additional relevant studies, and included cross-sectional, case-control and cohort study studies. We applied a random-effects model meta-analysis to pool the national data of uptake of HIV tests. Galbraith’s plot and Egger’s regression test were employed to check publication bias, and heterogeneity was assessed using I ² statistics. The protocol registered is found in the PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42019129166.
Results: In total, 22 articles with 13 818 pregnant women study participants were involved. The national uptake of HIV tests among pregnant women was 79.6% (95% CI 73.9–85.4). Living in urban areas (AOR 2.8; 95% CI 1.1–4.6), previous HIV tests (AOR 4.6; 95% CI 1.2–8.0), and comprehensive knowledge on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) (AOR 2.61; 95% CI 1.5–3.7) and PMTCT of HIV (AOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.5–2.8) were associated with increased practice of HIV tests.
Conclusion: This review showed that HIV test coverage among pregnant women was approximately 80% and substantially lower than the national recommendation. Addressing HIV-related health services for rural women and providing health information on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV to increase HIV testing coverage is required.