Nursing role in the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging diseases in Latin America: a systematic review with qualitative synthesis of mixed evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71112/rrv5qq24Keywords:
nursing, emerging diseases, disease outbreaks, infection control, epidemiological surveillance.Abstract
Introduction: Latin America faces infectious threats associated with social inequality, migration, environmental change and surveillance gaps. Objective: to analyze the nursing role in the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging diseases in Latin America. Methods: a systematic review with qualitative synthesis of mixed evidence was conducted following PRISMA 2020. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS/BVS, Scopus and institutional sources, including documents published from 2016 to April 2026. Results: 419 records were identified and 23 documents were included. Findings were organized into seven themes: health education, surveillance, infection control, clinical care, leadership, workforce protection and antimicrobial stewardship. Conclusion: nursing has a strategic role in preparedness, prevention and outbreak response; however, stronger regional research focused on nursing interventions is needed.
Downloads
References
Al Thobaity, A., & Alshammari, F. (2020). Nurses on the frontline against the COVID-19 pandemic: An integrative review. Dubai Medical Journal, 3(3), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509361 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000509361
Camerini, F. G., Cunha, T. L., Fassarella, C. S., Henrique, D. M., & Fortunato, J. G. S. (2024). Nursing strategies in antimicrobial stewardship in the hospital environment: A qualitative systematic review. BMC Nursing, 23, Article 147. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01753-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01753-y
Corless, I. B., Nardi, D., Milstead, J. A., Larson, E., Nokes, K. M., Orsega, S., Kurth, A. E., et al. (2018). Expanding nursing's role in responding to global pandemics. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 412-415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.06.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.06.003
Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. (2024). CASP checklists. https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/
Dos Santos, J. L. G., Balsanelli, A. P., Freitas, E. O., Menegon, F. H. A., Carneiro, I. A., Lazzari, D. D., et al. (2021). Work environment of hospital nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. International Nursing Review, 68(2), 228-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12662 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12662
Guilamo-Ramos, V., Thimm-Kaiser, M., Benzekri, A., Hidalgo, A., Lanier, Y., Tlou, S., et al. (2021). Nurses at the frontline of public health emergency preparedness and response: Lessons learned from the HIV/AIDS pandemic and emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 21(10), e326-e333. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30983-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30983-X
Hong, Q. N., Pluye, P., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., et al. (2018). Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), version 2018. McGill University. https://mixedmethodsappraisaltoolpublic.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/127916259/MMAT_2018_criteria-manual_2018-08-01_ENG.pdf
International Council of Nurses. (2025). Current nursing definitions. https://www.icn.ch/resources/nursing-definitions/current-nursing-definitions
Joanna Briggs Institute. (2024). Critical appraisal tools. https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools
Lam, S. K. K., Kwong, E. W. Y., Hung, M. S. Y., Pang, S. M. C., & Chiang, V. C. L. (2018). Nurses' preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks: A literature review and narrative synthesis of qualitative evidence. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(7-8), e1244-e1255. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14210
Llorente Pérez, Y. J., Rodríguez-Acelas, A. L., & Cañon-Montañez, W. (2023). Educational interventions for the prevention and control of dengue in adults: An integrative review. Enfermería Clínica, 33(2), 157-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcle.2022.10.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcle.2022.10.005
Llorente Pérez, Y. J., Rodríguez-Acelas, A. L., Mattiello, R., & Cañon-Montañez, W. (2024). Effectiveness of a nursing educational intervention in adults to promote control behaviors against dengue: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 13, e54286. https://doi.org/10.2196/54286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/54286
Marston, C., Renedo, A., & Miles, S. (2020). Community participation is crucial in a pandemic. The Lancet, 395(10238), 1676-1678. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31054-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31054-0
McArthur, D. B. (2019). Emerging infectious diseases. Nursing Clinics of North America, 54(2), 297-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2019.02.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2019.02.006
Nie, A., Su, X., Dong, M., & Guan, W. (2022). ¿Are nurses prepared to respond to the next infectious disease outbreak? A narrative synthesis. Nursing Open, 9(2), 908-919. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1170 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1170
Olans, R. N., Olans, R. D., & DeMaria, A., Jr. (2016). The critical role of the staff nurse in antimicrobial stewardship: Unrecognized, but already there. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 62(1), 84-89. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ697 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ697
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021a). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, Article n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021b). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: Updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, Article n160. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160
Pan American Health Organization. (2024). Epidemiological update: Oropouche in the Americas Region. https://www.paho.org/en/documents/epidemiological-update-oropouche-americas-region-6-september-2024
Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. (2025). Epidemiological alert: Risk of dengue outbreaks due to increased circulation of DENV-3 in the Americas Region. https://www.paho.org/en/documents/epidemiological-alert-risk-dengue-outbreaks-due-increased-circulation-denv-3-americas
Paraná, V. C., Feitosa, C. A., da Silva, G. C. S., Gois, L. L., & Santos, L. A. (2024). Risk factors associated with severe dengue in Latin America: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 29(3), 173-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13968 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13968
Rosales Vaca, K. M., Cruz Barrientos, O. I., Girón López, S., Noriega, S., More Árias, A., Guariente, S. M. M., et al. (2022). Mental health of healthcare workers of Latin American countries: A review of studies published during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Research, 311, Article 114501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114501 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114501
Shea, B. J., Reeves, B. C., Wells, G., Thuku, M., Hamel, C., Moran, J., et al. (2017). AMSTAR 2: A critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews that include randomised or non-randomised studies of healthcare interventions. BMJ, 358, Article j4008. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j4008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j4008
Tiga-Loza, D. C., Mancilla-Lucumi, A., Castro-Bernal, M. A., Vergara-Escobar, O. J., Llanganate-Osorio, D. M., & Acosta, E. G. R. (2024). Multicenter study on satisfaction, stress and working conditions in nursing in Latin American countries. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 32, e4393. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7337.4393 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7337.4393
World Health Organization. (2016). Guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549929
World Health Organization. (2021). Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021-2025. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240033863
World Health Organization. (2024). Global report on infection prevention and control 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240103986 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2471/B09195
World Health Organization. (2025). Dengue and severe dengue. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
World Health Organization. (2025). State of the world's nursing 2025: Investing in education, jobs, leadership and service delivery. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240110236
World Health Organization. (2026). Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-%28american-trypanosomiasis%29
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Neizan Mayoly Guerrero Mejía, Adriana Narcisa Chicaiza Velozo, Sandra Margoth Cali Guamushig, Gema Lisseth Santana Moreira, Paola Alexandra Bustamante Cajamarca (Autor/a)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.






