Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41428764›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Understanding the social determinants of Aedes-borne diseases in Iran: A qualitative exploration of challenges and policy solutions.

Efat Mohamadi, Jawad Jafarzadeh, Fatemeh Mohamadi, Hakimeh Mostafavi, Ahad Bakhtiari, Ghobad Moradi, Maryam Sargolzaei Moghaddam, Mohammadreza Mobinizadeh, Fateme Yaftian, Amin Ghanbarnejad and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Efat MohamadiHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Jawad JafarzadehHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh MohamadiHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hakimeh MostafaviHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ahad BakhtiariHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ghobad MoradiSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
Maryam Sargolzaei MoghaddamCenter for Communicable Disease Control (CDC), MOHME: Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammadreza MobinizadehNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fateme YaftianHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amin GhanbarnejadIranian Research Network for Social Determinants of Health (IRNSDH), Tehran, Iran.
Mehrnaz MozafariVice Chancellor of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
Enayatollah Homaie RadIranian Research Network for Social Determinants of Health (IRNSDH), Tehran, Iran.
Ehsan Sheykh NooriDepartment of Disease Prevention and Control, Health Deputy, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Marziyeh NajafiTDR Grantee at IIHMR, Jaipur, India.
Amirhossein TakianHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Alireza OlyaeemaneshHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.ORCID 0000-0002-7417-2417

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAedes-borne diseases pose escalating public health challenges globally, influenced not only by ecological and biological factors but critically by social determinants of health (SDH). In Iran, emerging local transmission of dengue highlights these diseases as effective proxies to examine the impact of social and environmental factors on health equity. However, evidence on context-specific drivers and effective responses remains scarce. This study aimed to identify key SDH and propose prioritized interventions to inform evidence-based policymaking.

methodsThis mixed-method study included a two scoping review on SDH of Aedes-Borne Diseases and SDH-focused interventions, complemented by qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 21 national and provincial health experts in Iran. Data were analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach and MAXQDA 25 software was used throughout the analysis. The identified interventions were prioritized through a multi-criteria decision analysis, incorporating expert input via an online checklist and digital platform, based on four key criteria: effectiveness, feasibility, social acceptability, and political support.

resultsFindings reveal that socioeconomic inequalities, weak community awareness, and limited health system capacity substantially drive disease risk. Notably, the local emergence and spread of dengue serve as a sensitive indicator reflecting broader social vulnerabilities affecting health outcomes. Integrated multisectoral strategies-encompassing health education, environmental management, digital surveillance, and cross-sector collaboration-are vital for effective control. Priority actions include healthcare worker training, embedding disease prevention within educational curricula, and tailored communication leveraging native languages and trusted community leaders.

conclusionThe study underscores that Aedes-borne diseases are not only biological threats but also reflections of underlying social and structural inequities. By framing dengue and related diseases as sentinel indicators of SDH, policymakers can better design integrated and equity-oriented strategies. Controlling Aedes-borne diseases requires a shift from disease-centric approaches toward comprehensive, SDH-informed strategies that strengthen community engagement, improve environmental and health infrastructure, and enhance cross-sector coordination. The prioritized interventions identified in this study provide a practical roadmap for strengthening preparedness and response in Iran and similar settings.

Indexed as

AedesDengueMosquito VectorsSocial Determinants of HealthVector Borne DiseasesAnimalsHealth PolicyHumansIranMosquito-Borne DiseasesPublic HealthSocioeconomic Factors

Identifiers

PMID41428764
PMCPMC12753069

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.