Global prevalence of suicide in patients living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background In fact, people living with HIV are at a greater risk of mental health disorders. Based on lack of necessary information in this area the present systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to determine the magnitude of committed suicides among HIV/AIDS people as well as their associated factors in a global setting. Method Firstly we registered the protocol of study in PROSPRO. Then the publications were searched in the 4 main databases from January 2000 to April 2022. After removing duplication and inappropriate studies we applied inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally 60 studies were included for analysis. Comprehensive meta-analysis software were used for analyzing. Results After reviewing 60 articles published from January 2000 to April 2021 in 24 countries, the total prevalence rate of suicide among 61,904 patients was estimated at 0.249 (95 % CI, 0.2–0.306). Findings indicated that the highest suicide prevalence was related to single patients estimated at 0.257 (95 % CI, 0.184–0.347). A gender-based meta-analysis depicted that the prevalence of suicide/ suicidal ideation was higher among females estimated at 0.22 (95 % CI, 0.15–0.29) compared with men at 0.17 (95 % CI, 0.11–0.23). Conclusion Health planners and policymakers should develop suicide-prevention strategies aimed at female patients in younger age groups who live alone and are deprived of social support to effectively promote their self-efficacy in successful management of the disease. Integrating mental health services into anti-retroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS patients is also suggested in order to effectively design integrated programs for the management of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.