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Review
. 2024 Nov 22;16(11):e74243.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74243. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Seroprevalence of Measles Antibodies Among Migrant Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Somen K Pradhan  1 , Ashutosh Panda  1 , Ipsita Debata  2 , Prem S Panda  2
Affiliations
Review

Seroprevalence of Measles Antibodies Among Migrant Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Somen K Pradhan et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Incomplete or interrupted vaccination schedules put migrant communities at higher risk for measles, which remains a serious public health concern. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the pooled seroprevalence of measles antibodies among migrant groups globally and offer data to guide public health initiatives. Our literature search included PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, covering publications from 1990 to 2023, and was systematically refined using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only observational studies documenting measles antibody seroprevalence among defined migrant groups were included to ensure relevance and quality in addressing the study's objective. Meta-analytical techniques such as random-effects models were employed to assess pooled seroprevalence. The meta-analysis comprised 36 studies with 42,972 participants in total. Among migrant communities, the overall pooled seroprevalence of measles antibodies was 83% (95%CI: 80%-87%). Studies showed significant heterogeneity (I2 = 98%, p < 0.01). According to meta-regression analysis, measles seroprevalence has been gradually increasing in more recent research, and time (year) was a significant predictor of seroprevalence variability (p < 0.05). Measles seroprevalence in migratory communities is still below the threshold for herd immunity, especially in susceptible populations like children and refugees. To close these immunity gaps and stop future outbreaks in host nations, focused public health interventions such as catch-up vaccination programs are desperately needed.

Keywords: herd immunity; measles; migrant population; refugee; seroprevalence; vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Figure 2
Figure 2. Study quality assessment (risk of bias) chart
Judgement: Red: High, Yellow: Some concern, Green: Low D1: Was the research question or objective in this paper clearly stated?; D2: Was the study population clearly specified and defined?; D3: Was the participation rate of eligible persons at least 50%?; D4: Were all the subjects selected or recruited from the same or similar populations? Were inclusion and exclusion criteria for being in the study pre-specified and applied uniformly to all participants?; D5: Was a sample size justification, power description, or variance and effect estimates provided?; D6: Were the outcome measures (dependent variables) clearly defined, valid, reliable, and implemented consistently across all study participants? Reference: [11,15-49]
Figure 3
Figure 3. Forest plot showing the estimated measles seroprevalence among migrant population
References: [11,15-49]
Figure 4
Figure 4. Funnel plot of publication bias related to measles seroprevalence in migrant population
Figure 5
Figure 5. Bubble plot for meta-regression showing time-trend of measles seroprevalence among migrant population over time
The circles illustrate the estimates from each study, sized proportionately to the precision of each estimate. A total of 36 observations from 36 studies was considered
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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