Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background and Aim: This systematic scoping review examines rabies-related incidents, interventions, and post-exposure immunoprophylaxis in the Arabian Gulf region and Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, WoS, MedLin...

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Main Authors: Helal F. Hetta, Khalid S. Albalawi, Amal M. Almalki, Nasser D. Albalawi, Abdulmajeed S. Albalawi, Suleiman M. Al-Atwi, Saleh E. Alatawi, Mousa J. Alharbi, MeshaL F. Albalawi, Ahmad A. Alharbi, Hassabelrasoul Elfadil, Abdullah S. Albalawi, Reem Sayad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/4/124
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author Helal F. Hetta
Khalid S. Albalawi
Amal M. Almalki
Nasser D. Albalawi
Abdulmajeed S. Albalawi
Suleiman M. Al-Atwi
Saleh E. Alatawi
Mousa J. Alharbi
MeshaL F. Albalawi
Ahmad A. Alharbi
Hassabelrasoul Elfadil
Abdullah S. Albalawi
Reem Sayad
author_facet Helal F. Hetta
Khalid S. Albalawi
Amal M. Almalki
Nasser D. Albalawi
Abdulmajeed S. Albalawi
Suleiman M. Al-Atwi
Saleh E. Alatawi
Mousa J. Alharbi
MeshaL F. Albalawi
Ahmad A. Alharbi
Hassabelrasoul Elfadil
Abdullah S. Albalawi
Reem Sayad
author_sort Helal F. Hetta
collection DOAJ
description Background and Aim: This systematic scoping review examines rabies-related incidents, interventions, and post-exposure immunoprophylaxis in the Arabian Gulf region and Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, WoS, MedLine, and Cochrane Library up to July 2024. Studies were included discussing the reported cases of rabies that received the PEP in all countries of the Arabian Gulf, their epidemiological data, the received schedules of vaccination, and their safety. The search was done by using the following terminologies: rabies vaccine, rabies human diploid cell vaccine, vaccine, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Southwest Asia, Iran, West Asia, Western Asia, Persian Gulf, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Ajam, Saudi Arabian Peninsula, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: The systematic scoping review included 36 studies, synthesizing findings from diverse research designs, including large-scale cross-sectional studies and case reports, spanning nearly three decades. Findings indicated that young males in urban areas are most at risk for animal bites, predominantly from domestic dogs and cats. While post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was generally administered within recommended timeframes, vaccination completion rates varied. Conclusions: The review highlighted gaps in public awareness about rabies risks and prevention. Vaccine safety profiles were generally favorable, with mostly mild-to-moderate side effects reported. The study underscores the need for enhanced public health education, standardized PEP protocols, and a One Health approach to rabies prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-b34c26c8a7f940d296857cc23f2367cc2025-08-20T02:17:24ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-04-0113412410.3390/diseases13040124Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping ReviewHelal F. Hetta0Khalid S. Albalawi1Amal M. Almalki2Nasser D. Albalawi3Abdulmajeed S. Albalawi4Suleiman M. Al-Atwi5Saleh E. Alatawi6Mousa J. Alharbi7MeshaL F. Albalawi8Ahmad A. Alharbi9Hassabelrasoul Elfadil10Abdullah S. Albalawi11Reem Sayad12Division of Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Supply Chain, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Supply Chain, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Supply Chain, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Supply Chain, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Supply Chain, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaPrimary Health Care, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaMinistry of Health Tabuk Region, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaExecutive Management for Quality & Institutional Excellence, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk 47311, Saudi ArabiaDivision of Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi ArabiaDivision of Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, EgyptBackground and Aim: This systematic scoping review examines rabies-related incidents, interventions, and post-exposure immunoprophylaxis in the Arabian Gulf region and Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, WoS, MedLine, and Cochrane Library up to July 2024. Studies were included discussing the reported cases of rabies that received the PEP in all countries of the Arabian Gulf, their epidemiological data, the received schedules of vaccination, and their safety. The search was done by using the following terminologies: rabies vaccine, rabies human diploid cell vaccine, vaccine, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Southwest Asia, Iran, West Asia, Western Asia, Persian Gulf, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Ajam, Saudi Arabian Peninsula, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: The systematic scoping review included 36 studies, synthesizing findings from diverse research designs, including large-scale cross-sectional studies and case reports, spanning nearly three decades. Findings indicated that young males in urban areas are most at risk for animal bites, predominantly from domestic dogs and cats. While post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was generally administered within recommended timeframes, vaccination completion rates varied. Conclusions: The review highlighted gaps in public awareness about rabies risks and prevention. Vaccine safety profiles were generally favorable, with mostly mild-to-moderate side effects reported. The study underscores the need for enhanced public health education, standardized PEP protocols, and a One Health approach to rabies prevention.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/4/124rabiespost-exposure prophylaxisvaccination protocols
spellingShingle Helal F. Hetta
Khalid S. Albalawi
Amal M. Almalki
Nasser D. Albalawi
Abdulmajeed S. Albalawi
Suleiman M. Al-Atwi
Saleh E. Alatawi
Mousa J. Alharbi
MeshaL F. Albalawi
Ahmad A. Alharbi
Hassabelrasoul Elfadil
Abdullah S. Albalawi
Reem Sayad
Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review
Diseases
rabies
post-exposure prophylaxis
vaccination protocols
title Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review
title_full Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review
title_fullStr Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review
title_short Rabies Vaccination and Public Health Insights in the Extended Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Scoping Review
title_sort rabies vaccination and public health insights in the extended arabian gulf and saudi arabia a systematic scoping review
topic rabies
post-exposure prophylaxis
vaccination protocols
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/4/124
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