Factors contributing to mosquito-borne disease: A systematic review in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Abstract

Mosquitoes can carry and spread many diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. All these mosquito-borne diseases (MBD) represent a significant global burden of infectious diseases, including morbidity and mortality. This systematic review delves into the multifaceted factors contributing to the spread of MBD in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Following PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed peer-reviewed English-language observational and experimental studies published between May 1990 and January 2023, focusing on the interaction between population, environmental, disease, and mosquito factors in MBD. The review includes 32 studies (30 articles) that revealed a complex relationship between various risk factors and the presence of MBD. The review distinguishes between seroprevalence studies, which assess exposure to infection in asymptomatic populations, and overt disease studies, which focus on symptomatic cases and the host-specific factors that affect disease severity. It identifies key risk factors such as age, geography, gender, professional occupation, and socio-economic status, noting their varying impacts on disease transmission and progression across different MBDs. Environmental factors such as climate, mosquito breeding habitats, and urbanization are also reported as significant drivers of vector distribution and human-vector interactions. The review emphasizes the need for tailored, region-specific interventions to control MBD in the MENA region and highlights the importance of integrated vector control, improved sanitation, surveillance programmes, and public health education. The review also stresses the growing influence of climate change on disease patterns and calls for a multi-sectoral approach to MBD control. While focusing on the MENA region, the findings suggest the need for further research and region-specific public health policies to mitigate the impact of these diseases.