Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges
Abstract Background Yemen has experienced a dramatic increase in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. This systematic review aims to consolidate and analyse the available literature on NTDs in Yemen, focusing on aetiology, geographic distribution, and a...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21700-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823861592445419520 |
|---|---|
| author | Ibrahim Ahmed Ahmed Alhothily Rahmat Dapari Nazri Che Dom |
| author_facet | Ibrahim Ahmed Ahmed Alhothily Rahmat Dapari Nazri Che Dom |
| author_sort | Ibrahim Ahmed Ahmed Alhothily |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Yemen has experienced a dramatic increase in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. This systematic review aims to consolidate and analyse the available literature on NTDs in Yemen, focusing on aetiology, geographic distribution, and associated risk factors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five international databases and one national database, resulting in 3,652 identified records. After screening and applying eligibility criteria, 230 articles were included in this review. Data extraction focused on publication year, study design, sample types, diagnostic methods, reported pathogens, and geographic distribution. The aetiology of reported NTDs was categorized into four groups: viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Results Viral NTDs were the most frequently reported, accounting for 39% of the articles, followed by bacterial (26%), helminthic (21%), and protozoal NTDs (15%). Dengue virus, hepatitis B and C viruses were the most prominent viral pathogens, while bacterial NTDs were primarily caused by Escherichia coli, cholera, and Salmonella. Schistosomiasis and ascariasis were the most reported helminth infections, whereas leishmaniasis and malaria were the leading protozoal NTDs. Geographically, over 69% of the reported studies focused on northern Yemen, with the highest concentrations in Sana’a, Al Hudaydah, and Taiz. The review identified multiple risk factors, including poor sanitation, inadequate water quality, and urbanization, exacerbating NTD prevalence. Conclusions The findings highlight the significant burden and regional disparities of NTDs in Yemen, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Prioritizing improvements in sanitation, water quality, and vector control measures, alongside community engagement, is critical. Policymakers must allocate resources effectively to address the root causes of NTDs and strengthen Yemen’s healthcare infrastructure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ccf426c993e64e64bdcc503823e6eb2b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ccf426c993e64e64bdcc503823e6eb2b2025-02-09T12:57:49ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-02-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-21700-zNeglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challengesIbrahim Ahmed Ahmed Alhothily0Rahmat Dapari1Nazri Che Dom2Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan SelangorDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra MalaysiaCentre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan SelangorAbstract Background Yemen has experienced a dramatic increase in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. This systematic review aims to consolidate and analyse the available literature on NTDs in Yemen, focusing on aetiology, geographic distribution, and associated risk factors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five international databases and one national database, resulting in 3,652 identified records. After screening and applying eligibility criteria, 230 articles were included in this review. Data extraction focused on publication year, study design, sample types, diagnostic methods, reported pathogens, and geographic distribution. The aetiology of reported NTDs was categorized into four groups: viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Results Viral NTDs were the most frequently reported, accounting for 39% of the articles, followed by bacterial (26%), helminthic (21%), and protozoal NTDs (15%). Dengue virus, hepatitis B and C viruses were the most prominent viral pathogens, while bacterial NTDs were primarily caused by Escherichia coli, cholera, and Salmonella. Schistosomiasis and ascariasis were the most reported helminth infections, whereas leishmaniasis and malaria were the leading protozoal NTDs. Geographically, over 69% of the reported studies focused on northern Yemen, with the highest concentrations in Sana’a, Al Hudaydah, and Taiz. The review identified multiple risk factors, including poor sanitation, inadequate water quality, and urbanization, exacerbating NTD prevalence. Conclusions The findings highlight the significant burden and regional disparities of NTDs in Yemen, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Prioritizing improvements in sanitation, water quality, and vector control measures, alongside community engagement, is critical. Policymakers must allocate resources effectively to address the root causes of NTDs and strengthen Yemen’s healthcare infrastructure.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21700-zNeglected tropical diseasesYemenEpidemiologyDengueSanitationVector control |
| spellingShingle | Ibrahim Ahmed Ahmed Alhothily Rahmat Dapari Nazri Che Dom Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges BMC Public Health Neglected tropical diseases Yemen Epidemiology Dengue Sanitation Vector control |
| title | Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges |
| title_full | Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges |
| title_fullStr | Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges |
| title_short | Neglected tropical diseases in Yemen: a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges |
| title_sort | neglected tropical diseases in yemen a systematic review of epidemiology and public health challenges |
| topic | Neglected tropical diseases Yemen Epidemiology Dengue Sanitation Vector control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21700-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ibrahimahmedahmedalhothily neglectedtropicaldiseasesinyemenasystematicreviewofepidemiologyandpublichealthchallenges AT rahmatdapari neglectedtropicaldiseasesinyemenasystematicreviewofepidemiologyandpublichealthchallenges AT nazrichedom neglectedtropicaldiseasesinyemenasystematicreviewofepidemiologyandpublichealthchallenges |