Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Hematological malignancies are a class of neoplasms that include a variety of diverse diseases that all develop from and change into lymphatic and bone marrow cells. Hematological malignancies significantly contribute to illness and mortality in African nations. The prevalence of these mali...

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Main Authors: Zewudu Mulatie, Dereje Mengesha Berta, Alemu Gedefie, Hussen Ebrahim, Brukitawit Eshetu, Tesfaye Gessese, Mihret Tilahun, Seada Ali, Habtu Debash, Yeshimebet Kassa, Ermiyas Alemayehu
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94428-w
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author Zewudu Mulatie
Dereje Mengesha Berta
Alemu Gedefie
Hussen Ebrahim
Brukitawit Eshetu
Tesfaye Gessese
Mihret Tilahun
Seada Ali
Habtu Debash
Yeshimebet Kassa
Ermiyas Alemayehu
author_facet Zewudu Mulatie
Dereje Mengesha Berta
Alemu Gedefie
Hussen Ebrahim
Brukitawit Eshetu
Tesfaye Gessese
Mihret Tilahun
Seada Ali
Habtu Debash
Yeshimebet Kassa
Ermiyas Alemayehu
author_sort Zewudu Mulatie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hematological malignancies are a class of neoplasms that include a variety of diverse diseases that all develop from and change into lymphatic and bone marrow cells. Hematological malignancies significantly contribute to illness and mortality in African nations. The prevalence of these malignancies has not been evaluated in this continent. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa. From October to November 2023, the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Research Gate, Embase, and Scopus were extensively searched to identify pertinent research. The Newcastle‒Ottawa Quality Scale for cross-sectional studies was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The analysis tool used was STATA-14. To calculate the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies, a random effects model was used. Heterogeneity was measured by using the I2 value. Subgroup analysis was conducted for country, age of study subjects, population type, study design, and publication year. We evaluated publication bias through the implementation of a funnel plot and Egger’s test and conducted a sensitivity analysis. A total of 34 published articles including 43,099 study participants were included. The pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies was 27.30%. There was high heterogeneity, with an I2 value of 99.2%. Leukemia had the highest pooled prevalence (53.69%) among the hematological malignancy types, followed by lymphoma (38.36%). According to subgroup analysis conducted in African countries, Kenya had the highest pooled prevalence (44.69%). On the other hand, the lowest pooled prevalence reported in Nigeria (20.52%). Furthermore, the age-based subgroup analysis of the study participants revealed that children had a greater pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies than adults (60.92% vs. 17.02%), respectively. In African populations, the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies was 27.30%. This suggests that there is a significant prevalence of hematological malignancy, necessitating regular monitoring and accurate diagnosis. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42023427152.
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spelling doaj-art-c86747ccdab64d6a894e15e40e74ef2a2025-08-20T03:41:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-94428-wPrevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysisZewudu Mulatie0Dereje Mengesha Berta1Alemu Gedefie2Hussen Ebrahim3Brukitawit Eshetu4Tesfaye Gessese5Mihret Tilahun6Seada Ali7Habtu Debash8Yeshimebet Kassa9Ermiyas Alemayehu10Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of GondarDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityAbstract Hematological malignancies are a class of neoplasms that include a variety of diverse diseases that all develop from and change into lymphatic and bone marrow cells. Hematological malignancies significantly contribute to illness and mortality in African nations. The prevalence of these malignancies has not been evaluated in this continent. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa. From October to November 2023, the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Research Gate, Embase, and Scopus were extensively searched to identify pertinent research. The Newcastle‒Ottawa Quality Scale for cross-sectional studies was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The analysis tool used was STATA-14. To calculate the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies, a random effects model was used. Heterogeneity was measured by using the I2 value. Subgroup analysis was conducted for country, age of study subjects, population type, study design, and publication year. We evaluated publication bias through the implementation of a funnel plot and Egger’s test and conducted a sensitivity analysis. A total of 34 published articles including 43,099 study participants were included. The pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies was 27.30%. There was high heterogeneity, with an I2 value of 99.2%. Leukemia had the highest pooled prevalence (53.69%) among the hematological malignancy types, followed by lymphoma (38.36%). According to subgroup analysis conducted in African countries, Kenya had the highest pooled prevalence (44.69%). On the other hand, the lowest pooled prevalence reported in Nigeria (20.52%). Furthermore, the age-based subgroup analysis of the study participants revealed that children had a greater pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies than adults (60.92% vs. 17.02%), respectively. In African populations, the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies was 27.30%. This suggests that there is a significant prevalence of hematological malignancy, necessitating regular monitoring and accurate diagnosis. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42023427152.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94428-wHematological malignancyLeukemiaLymphomaPrevalenceSystematic reviewAfrica
spellingShingle Zewudu Mulatie
Dereje Mengesha Berta
Alemu Gedefie
Hussen Ebrahim
Brukitawit Eshetu
Tesfaye Gessese
Mihret Tilahun
Seada Ali
Habtu Debash
Yeshimebet Kassa
Ermiyas Alemayehu
Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Scientific Reports
Hematological malignancy
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Prevalence
Systematic review
Africa
title Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Prevalence of hematological malignancies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort prevalence of hematological malignancies in africa a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Hematological malignancy
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Prevalence
Systematic review
Africa
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94428-w
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