A Scoping Review of Urbanisation, Informal Settlements, and Dengue Fever Transmission in Luanda, Angola: Public Health Implications for the 2021–2026 Period

This scoping review protocol outlines a planned investigation into the nexus between rapid urbanisation, informal settlements, and arbovirus transmission—focusing on dengue fever—in Luanda, Angola. Its objective is to map and synthesise the available evidence to clarify the mechanisms through which unplanned urban expansion influences arbovirus epidemiology, thereby identifying key knowledge gaps and intervention points. The review will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. A systematic search will be conducted across multiple databases for literature published between 2000 and 2024, including peer-reviewed articles and relevant grey literature. All citations will be screened for direct relevance to urbanisation, informal settlements, and arbovirus transmission in Angola or comparable sub-Saharan African contexts. The anticipated findings will synthesise evidence on the association between informal settlements—characterised by inadequate water, sanitation, and waste management—and heightened arbovirus risk. The significance of this work lies in its planned contribution to urban health policy in Angola, underscoring the need for multisectoral approaches that address underlying urban determinants of disease. The review aims to provide a rigorous evidence base to inform integrated vector control and surveillance strategies tailored to Luanda's specific socio-ecological context.