Seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Sudan from 1990 to 2022: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Human toxoplasmosis is a prevalent zoonotic infection with significant public health implications. Sudan has a high burden of toxoplasmosis, but the overall prevalence of the infection is unknown. This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Sudan and identify its risk factors. This meta-analysis study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. It included all studies conducted in both English and Arabic before March 31, 2023, from different databases. The results were analyzed using STATA software version 16.0. Fifty-six studies with 10,006 participants were included in the analysis. The pooled seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Sudan was 36% (95% confidence interval (CI): 31%–41%). Males had a higher pooled seroprevalence than females (56% vs. 44%). Other risk factors for toxoplasmosis infection included hemodialysis, being of childbearing age, HIV infection, and occupational exposure to animals. People living in southern Sudan had the highest pooled seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis (47%). The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that human toxoplasmosis is a highly endemic infection in Sudan, with a higher prevalence in the southern region. Males, hemodialysis patients, women of childbearing age, HIV patients, and workers occupationally exposed to animals are at an increased risk of infection.