Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne viral infection that has recently become a burden worldwide, particularly in low-income countries, such as Yemen. There have been no epidemiological studies on DF in recent years in Yemen. Therefore, based on secondary data, this study aimed to shed light on the epidemiology of DF in Yemen between 2020 and 2024. This was a retrospective analysis using secondary data recorded between January 2020 and August 2024 in the Surveillance Center of the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden. The data was gathered in a Microsoft Excel file and descriptively analyzed. A total of 104,562 dengue cases, aged between 1 and 80 years (SD = 24.93±17.02), were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. A higher proportion of DF cases was recorded among males (58.10%), the age group of 15–24 years (26.11%), in 2020 (30.65%), in the Taiz governorate (39.17%), and in the autumn (28.9%). The total incidence of DF was 103.09 per 10,000 individuals. Additionally, the incidence rate of DF per 10,000 individuals was significantly higher among males (118.3 cases), aged 25–34 years (91.73 cases), in 2020 (31.39 cases), and in the Shabwah governorate (176.96 cases). In general, the total fatality rate was 217 (0.21%), with a high rate among females (0.23%), aged ≥ 65 years (0.75%), in 2020 (0.37%), and the Aden governorate (0.82%). These findings indicate that the rates of DF cases have increased in Yemen over the last few years. Therefore, it is critical to introduce an effective program to prevent DF and control dengue vector transmission in Yemen.

Background and aims: Candida species are opportunistic yeasts that affect the genital urinary tract that causes vulvovaginal candidiasis in the most females, particularly in developing countries. This work aims to find the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women in Ibb, Yemen. Material and methods: Two hundred and eighteen samples of females attending outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics were chosen from several hospitals (Al-Thawra, Maternity and Childhood Center, Maternal Reproductive Health Center, and Nasser General Hospital) located in Ibb, from December 2019 to March 2020. The laboratory works were performed in the microbiology department of Al-Thawra Hospital, Ibb. Vaginal swabs were cultivated on Sabouraud dextrose agar, then the species of Candida identification and anti-fungal sensitivity tests were performed regarding the standard procedure of microbiology. Results: The findings revealed that out of 218 cases, 134 (61.5%) were infected with Candida species, and the rate of candidiasis was higher among women coming from rural areas than among women in urban areas; and in the age group 28-37 years. C. albicans (61.2%) were the most prevalent species followed by C. tropicalis (21.64%), C. glabrata (11.19%), and C. kefyr (5.97%). Susceptibility tests showed that the most isolated Candida species were sensitive to nystatin (94.8), fluconazole (91.04%), amphotericin B (88.80%), voriconazole (78.35%), clotrimazole (75.37%), ketoconazole (73.13%), and itraconazole (69.40%). Conclusion: It can be concluded that Candida vaginitis is very common among pregnant women, and the tested anti-fungal agents continue to be effective against all isolates of Candida species. In contrast, there was a slight increase resistant against itraconazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and voriconazole which raises concern about a rise in Candida species that are resistant to these drugs. Peer Review History: Received 27 June 2020; Revised 15 July; Accepted 12 August, Available online 15 September 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Ashwaq Ali Hezam Al-Arossi Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: ashwaqali651@gmail.com Name: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: shmahe@yemen.net.ye Name: Dr. (Mrs) Amaka A. Mgbahurike Affiliation: University of PortHarcourt, Nigeria E-mail: amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS DURING PREGNANCY IN SANA'A, YEMEN TETANUS IMMUNIZATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN: COVERAGE RATE AND RATE OF PROTECTION AT TIME OF DELIVERY

Objectives: Intestinal parasitic infections are widely distributed and remain one of the most health problems in Yemen. This is a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors among schoolchildren in Ibb City, Yemen. Methods: A total of 300 stool samples were collected from schoolchildren between January to April 2018 and examined by direct smear and formalin ether concentration techniques. Results: The result showed that 62.7% were positive for intestinal parasites, with a higher frequency of single than multiple infections (85.1 vs. 14.36%, respectively). Also, 85.64% were infected by protozoa whereas 14.36% infected by helminths. The prevalence of infection was 61.70% for Entameba histolytica, 23.94% for Giardia lamblia, 7.45% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 4.3% for Hymenolepis nana, and 2.61% for Enterobius vermicularis. Moreover, the highest prevalence of E. histolytica, G. lamblia, and A. lumbricoides was within group aged 9-12 years. H. nana was between age groups of 9-12 and 13-16 years while E. vermicularis was found among 5-8 and 9-12 years. In addition, females were 69% infected significantly higher than males 54.55%. Besides, the various signs and symptoms associated with intestinal infections have been documented. Conclusion: High prevalence of intestinal infection was documented among schoolchildren drinking from cistern water, poor hygiene practices, poor food sanitation, non-swimming, and non-previously treated for Schistosoma parasite. High frequency of intestinal parasitic infection between schoolchildren in the study area requires more effort to implement the appropriate programmers that warrant to control and prevention the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis. Peer Review History: Received 1 March 2019; Revised 7 April; Accepted 3 May, Available online 15 May 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: shmahe@yemen.net.ye Name: Hebatallaha A Moustafa Affiliation: Ain Shams University, Egypt E-mail: anasweety2003@yahoo.com Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: COCCIDIAN INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG CHILDREN IN AL-TORBAH CITY IN YEMEN: IN COUNTRY WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF MALNUTRITION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious and causes a series of health problems, particularly in Yemen, which has a fragile healthcare system and cannot handle public health emergencies. This analysis aimed to determine the epidemiological status of COVID-19 in the Taiz governorate between April 2020 and December 2023. A retrospective study based on surveillance data from the Taiz governorate was used. The required data were gathered from the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden and analyzed using SPSS. Out of 5826 suspected of COVID-19 cases, 1933 (33.18%) cases were positive for COVID-19 infection. The high rates of COVID-19 cases were reported at 35.40% in males, 37.80% in people aged 35–44 years, 47.20% in 2020, 72.73% in Dhubab district, and 27.78% in March 2021. The overall incidence rate of cases was reported at 6.2 per 10,000 people in Taiz governorate (8.85 in males and 3.80 in females). In addition, the high incidence rate of COVID-19 was observed among age groups ≥ 65 years, in 2021, and in Al-Mukha districts. In total, the rate of fatality cases was 14.12%, the higher rate of fatality cases was 15.46% among males and 32.23% among individuals aged ≥ 65 years, and 26.97% in 2020. In this finding, the incidence rate of COVID-19 is high. It is necessary to increase the public’s awareness of the transmission and prevention methods of COVID-19, as well as implement appropriate strategies to protect populations from infectious diseases.

Objective: The widespread prevalence of Giardiasis is a public health problem worldwide, and it is also common among Yemeni children. Hence, this work aims to identify the prevalent Giardia lamblia infection and risk factors among children admitted to health care centers in Amran governorate in Yemen. Methods: Three hundred and thirty-four stool samples were collected from infected children between March and July 2019 and the parasite is identified by light-microscope according to standard parasitology methods. Also, relevant data was obtained using a designed questionnaire. Results: The results showed that 181 cases (54.2%) were infected with G. lamblia infection. 57.5% of the infected children were from urban areas, while 42.5% of the cases were from rural areas. The highest incidence of G. lamblia was 60.3% among males compared to 47.5% among females. The results for age, residents and male children aged 8-14 years in both urban and rural areas recorded the highest prevalence of G. lamblia infection while the lowest was among females between 1 and 7 years and 8-14 years old, respectively, in the rural and urban area. Conclusion: In conclusion, as described in this work, multisectoral efforts are needed that include hygiene practices, personal hygiene habits, the provision of safe drinking water and the provision of sanitation systems to efficiently reduce this infection from all governorates of Yemen. Peer Review History: Received 22 May 2020; Revised 14 June; Accepted 3 July, Available online 15 July 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: shmahe@yemen.net.ye Name: Dr. Mahmoud S. Abdallah Affiliation: University of Sadat city, Egypt E-mail: dr_samy777@yahoo.com Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: PREVALENCE OF MALOCCLUSION AMONG YEMENI CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS COCCIDIAN INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG CHILDREN IN AL-TORBAH CITY IN YEMEN: IN COUNTRY WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF MALNUTRITION OCCLUSAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRIMARY DENTITION AMONG A SAMPLE OF YEMENI PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN EVALUATION OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO POLIO VACCINE IN MALNOURISHED CHILDREN IN SANA'A CITY

Background and Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are highly contagious pathogens that threaten medical waste handlers who are highly exposed to these viruses due to the nature of their work. To date, little data is available on the prevalence of viral markers (HBV, HCV, and HIV) among medical waste handlers in Sana'a city, Yemen. Hence, this work was conducted to enhance knowledge of the prevalence of viral markers among medical waste handlers working in some hospitals in the capital, Sana'a. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 120 randomly selected medical waste handlers from January to June 2022. A pretested and designed questionnaire was used to collect the required data. Total 5mL of venous blood was collected. Then blood was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HCV, as well as HIV antibody, were detected using a qualitative by rapid test cassette and positive results were confirmed by ELIZA technique. Results: The overall positive rates for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV were 9.17%, 5.0%, and 0.0%, respectively, based on the rapid test. No significant differences were detected between socio-demographic characteristics and hepatitis B and HCV infection. High rates of hepatitis B and C infection were found in the age group ≥41 years (9.17%) and 21-30 years (8.77%), respectively. These two viruses have also been detected among married people with a history of acute infection between 7-9 times. There was a significant correlation between HBsAg positivity and history of blood transfusion as well as between HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity and history of hepatitis B vaccination. ELISA confirmed that the rate of HBsAg was 4.17% and anti-HCV was 2.5%. Conclusion: Appropriate training, immunization against HBV, and regular motivation of medical waste handlers on the practices of universal standard precautions are recommended to reduce transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV among medical waste handlers. Peer Review History: Received: 4 May 2022; Revised: 14 June; Accepted: 27 June, Available online: 15 July 2022 Academic Editor: Dr. Muhammad Zahid Iqbal, AIMST University, Malaysia, drmmziqbal@gmail.com UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewers: Rusmir Baljic, Clinic for infectious diseases, Clinical center University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. rusmir.baljic@gmail.com Dr. Bilge Ahsen KARA, Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Hospital, Turkey, ahsndkyc@gmail.com Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye Dr. Jucimary Vieira dos Santos, Hemonorte Dalton Barbosa Cunha, Brazil, jucimaryvieira@yahoo.com.br Dr. Bilge Ahsen KARA, Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Hospital, Turkey, ahsndkyc@gmail.com Similar Articles: PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS, AND HEPATITIS C VIRUS, AMONG PATIENTS WITH HEPATIC JAUNDICE IN SANA’A CITY, YEMEN: A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY SERO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF HEPATITIS B, C, HIV AND TREPONEMA PALLIDUM AMONG BLOOD DONORS IN HODEIDA CITY- YEMEN EXPLOSION OF HEPATITIS B AND C VIRUSES AMONG HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS AS A RESULT OF HEMODIALYSIS CRISIS IN YEMEN