Figure 1Literature search and review flowchart for the selection of primary studies.
Figure 2
Point and pooled prevalences of the tuberculin skin test reaction (≥ 10 mm) among Iranian children and adolescents according to the results of primary studies before and after 2008.
ES, effect size; CI, confidence interval.
Figure 3
Investigating “publication year” as a heterogeneity factor on meta-regression analysis.
PPD, purified protein derivative.
Figure 4
Point and pooled prevalences of the tuberculin skin test reaction (≥ 10 mm) among Iranian children and adolescents by different age groups.
ES, effect size; CI, confidence interval.
Figure 5
Point and pooled prevalences of 5–9-mm tuberculin skin reaction size among Iranian children and adolescents.
ES, effect size; CI, confidence interval.
Figure 6
Point and pooled prevalences of <5 mm tuberculin skin reaction sizes among Iranian children and adolescents.
ES, effect size; CI, confidence interval.
Table 1Characteristics of primary studies included in the meta-analysis
First author |
Publication year |
Local study |
Language publication |
Age group |
Sample size (n) |
PPD (%) |
< 5 |
5–9 |
10 |
Nilforooshan |
1995 |
Tehran |
Persian |
< 6 y |
200 |
32.0 |
51.0 |
17.0 |
Daie Parizi |
2000 |
Kerman |
Persian |
3 mo to 18 y |
247 |
31.6 |
55.9 |
12.5 |
Mahyar |
2000 |
Markazi |
Persian |
< 6 y |
612 |
39.9 |
42 |
18.1 |
Masoumi Asl |
2012 |
Fars |
Persian |
3 mo to 18 y |
1,289 |
76.1 |
19.4 |
4.5 |
Sedighi |
2013 |
Hamedan |
Persian |
< 6 y |
564 |
– |
– |
3.0 |
Zehni |
2001 |
Kurdistan |
Persian |
6–18 y |
1,381 |
51.2 |
22.5 |
26.3 |
Alavi |
2008 |
Khuzestan |
English |
6–18 y |
3,906 |
91.7 |
6.1 |
2.2 |
Haghdoost |
2014 |
Sistan and Baluchestan |
English |
6–18 y |
5,390 |
91.5 |
3.8 |
4.7 |
Hemmati |
2011 |
Kermanshah |
English |
6–18 y |
10,184 |
– |
– |
8.2 |
Masoumi Asl |
2015 |
Fars |
English |
3 mo to 18 y |
967 |
77.5 |
18.7 |
3.8 |
Sayyahfar |
2014 |
Tehran |
English |
3 mo to 18 y |
236 |
– |
– |
4.7 |
Raffiee |
2015 |
Kermanshah |
English |
6–18 y |
361 |
32.14 |
53.73 |
14.13 |
Rafiei Tabatabaei |
2013 |
Arak |
English |
< 6 y |
794 |
39.0 |
55.0 |
6.0 |
Sakha |
2008 |
Tabriz |
English |
6–18 y |
150 |
95.3 |
4.7 |
0 |