The changing epidemiology and distribution of dengue in African countries: A scoping review

Abstract

The need for a comprehensive understanding of Dengue’s changing epidemiology in Africa is pressing; there is a lack of consolidated information that maps these changes across the continent. This review aims to assess the historical and current prevalence of dengue, identify factors contributing to its spread, evaluate the impact of climate change on its geographic distribution, and compare the spread in urban versus rural areas. The database search retrieved 1301 studies from Scopus, PubMed, and Google scholar which were trimmed down to 70 studies after eligibility screening. The scoping review was followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist. Prospective study designs accounted for the largest proportion of the 70 included publications (50.0%), followed by retrospective studies (24.2%). Geographically, research was concentrated in Central (21.4%) and East Africa (17.1%). The most frequently reported serotypes were dengue virus (DENV)-2 (27.1%) and DENV-1 (25.7%). Thematic analysis indicated that research priorities were largely centered on factors contributing to dengue spread (35.7%) and historical prevalence (25.6%), while climate change impacts (24.3%) and urban–rural distribution (11.4%) were less frequently explored. The scoping review identified low socioeconomic conditions, restricted healthcare access, and inadequate public health infrastructure as driving factors in dengue outbreaks and dissemination across Africa. Aedes mosquito breeding conditions increase due to climate change, although urban planning and water management can reduce these effects. Integrated vector control, healthcare improvements, and climate adaptation are needed for effective intervention.