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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Jan;34(1):3-14.
doi: 10.4314/ejhs.v34i1.2.

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid Positivity in Screening and Early Detection of Cervical Dysplasia in Africa, 2023: A Meta-Analysis

Yohannes Fikadu Geda  1 , Yirgalem Yosef Lamiso  1 , Tamirat Melis Berhe  1 , Seid Jemal Mohammed  1 , Samuel Ejeta Chibsa  2 , Daniel Adane Endalew  3 , Kenzudin Assfa Mossa  1 , Seblework Abeje  1 , Mustefa Adem Hussen  2 , Molalign Mesele Gesesse  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid Positivity in Screening and Early Detection of Cervical Dysplasia in Africa, 2023: A Meta-Analysis

Yohannes Fikadu Geda et al. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) is the best feasible method of screening and early detecting for cervical dysplasia for resource limited settings like Africa. There is no study that can represent Africa on VIA positivity. Therefore, this metaanalysis was planned to verify the best available articles to pool the visual inspection with acetic acid positivity in screening and early detection of cervical dysplasia in Africa.

Methods: The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, free Google database search engines, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases were used to conduct a true search of this research article. STATA version 14.0 was used to do the metaanalysis. This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO database under the identity pf CRD42023392197.

Result: This meta-analysis analyzed data from 21,066 women who had VIA examination to estimate the pooled VIA positivity in Africa. The overall pooled effect estimate of VIA positivity in Africa was 11.93 (95%CI: 11.48-12.37). Age <16 year during first intercourse 2.58(95%CI: 1.53-3.62), lifetime sexual partner ≥2 3.92(95%CI: 2.05-5.78) and HIV positivity 2.92(95%CI: 1.72-4.12) were the significant variables which influence VIA positivity.

Conclusion: Overall pooled effect estimate of VIA positivity in Africa was high compared to other continents. The main factors that affect VIA positivity are age at first sexual contact being under 16 years old, the number of lifetime sexual partners being at least two, and HIV positivity. Therefore, the WHO's goal of creating Africa free of cervical cancer is still one that requires significant effort.

Keywords: Africa; Visual inspection with acetic acid; cervical cancer; cervical dysplasia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagrams of included studies in the VIA Positivity in screening and early detection of cervical dysplasia in Africa: A meta-analysis, 2023
Figure 2
Figure 2
Funnel plot for studies on VIA Positivity in screening and early detection of cervical dysplasia in Africa: A meta-analysis, 2023
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot for studies on VIA positive in screening and early detecten of cervical dysplasia in Africa. A meta-analysis 2023
Figure 4
Figure 4
Subgroup analysis by Country on VIA Positivity in screening and early detection of cervical dysplasia in Africa: A meta-analysis, 2023
Figure 5
Figure 5
Subgroup analysis by variables on VIA Positivity in screening and early detection of cervical dysplasia in Africa: A meta-analysis, 2023
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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