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We performed an extensive literature search on articles published on the topic in the 25 countries of the MENA region. PubMed database was used as the main search engine. Data on population type, sample size, age and markers of infections were extracted from the relevant studies. Our review reveals the paucity of epidemiological data for key populations in many countries of the region.
In addition to the lack of studies on MSMs and FSWs in the MENA region, our review highlights the lack of data on the practices, characteristics, or the status of HIV infection and viral hepatitis among male sex workers selling or exchanging sex for money. The MENA countries are in urgent need of advanced research and strengthening of the data collection systems and reporting practices of these infections among key populations. In , 35 million people were estimated to be living with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 HIV Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS -related deaths peaked in and have fallen by the end of whereby 1.
The use of combined antiretroviral therapy cART has significantly reduced the mortality and morbidity caused by HIV Data from other sources have reported million people infected worldwide with HBV[ 3 ]. One hundred and thirty million people are infected with HCV[ 6 ] with million people newly infected each year with HCV.
These numbers exceed the number of people living HIV HIV-1 is mainly a sexually transmitted virus vaginal or anal sex. HIV-1 can also be transmitted via sharing needles or syringes used to prepare injection drugs with someone who is HIV-positive. Similarly, HCV is most commonly transmitted through the sharing of injecting tools; consequently, people at high risk of acquiring HCV include among others people who inject drugs and HIV-infected people[ 8 ].
