[Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus in the Spanish population (II). A meta-analysis of the time and geographic trends].

The aim of this research was to study the prevalence of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among the Spanish population. Due to the lack of available data we have applied meta-analysis techniques. We analyzed 67 original publications on this field appeared between 1985 and 1989. The prevalence of the illness has progressively increased among the risk groups (ADVP, homosexuals, prostitutes, heterosexual transmission) but not in hemophilic patients. The geographical distribution showed statistically significant differences being Barcelona as the province with the area of highest prevalence of the infection in ADVP and homosexuals.