Background: Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are a major public health problem in many parts of the world particularly in resource limited countries like Ethiopia. The two micro-organisms, M. tuberculosis and HIV, potentiate each other, increasing the deterioration of immunological functions and resulting in premature death if untreated. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the prevalence of TB and HIV co-infection in Ethiopia, using meta-analysis based on a systematic review of published articles & grey litterers.

Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations for the reporting systematic reviews was followed in this study. The databases such as; PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL and African Journals Online and Google were systematically searched.  Two authors extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format, and analysis was done using STATA version 11. A Statistical heterogeneity across the studies was evaluated by using Cochran’s Q test and I² statistic. The pooled effect size was conducted in the form of prevalence and association was measured using odds ratio.  Moreover, univariate meta regression was performed by considering the sample size to determine potential source of heterogeneity. The Egger’s weighted regression and Begg’s rank correlation tests were used to assess potential publication biases.

Results: This meta-analysis included 21 studies with a total of 12,980 participants. The pooled prevalence of TB and HIV Co-infection was 25.59% (95% CI (20.89%–30.29%). A significant association was found between low CD4 count (OR: 3.53; 95% CI: 1.55, 8.06), advanced WHO stage (OR: 6.81; 95% CI: 3.91, 11.88) and TB/ HIV/AIDS Co-infection.

Conclusion: This finding revealed that the prevalence of TB /HIV Co-infection with low CD4 count and advanced WHO stage seeks high emphasis in Ethiopia. The dual infection needs greater emphasis on dual or bi-directional strategies

Keywords: HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis, Co-infection, Meta-analysis, Ethiopia