Epidemiological Characteristics and Trend of the Incidence of Human Brucellosis in Kurdistan Province from 2009 to 2016

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Kurdistan Province has always been one of the areas of interest in national disease control programs due to a high number of human brucellosis cases. This study was conducted to explore some of the epidemiological indexes and the trend of the incidence of human brucellosis in this area from 2009 to 2016. Methods: The target population of this cross-sectional study included the human brucellosis patients living in Kurdistan Province whose disease was diagnosed between 2009 and 2016. The data of 6918 patients were analyzed. The incidence was calculated in 100,000 at-risk population. Results: The highest incidence was 103.54 in 100,000 in 2014 and the lowest was 23.86 in 100000 in 2010. According to 8-year analysis, the highest incidence rate was seen in Bijar. Male gender, rural dwellers, farmers, ranchers, housewives, and those aged 24-25 years were at a higher risk of the disease based on the results. Most of the patients reported contact with livestock. Conclusion: Comprehensive measures should be taken to control the infection transmission from domestic animals and their products to humans; moreover, preventing measures should be devised by health policy-makers, especially for villagers, housewives, and men.

Keywords

• malta fever
• brucellosis
• infectious diseases
• epidemiology
• kurdistan province
• iran