Investigation of the Epidemiology of Brucellosis and Its Associated Risk Factors in Qom Province (2001-2011)

Brucellosis is always considered a health problem in Iran. Since this disease is endemic in urban and rural areas in Qom province, this study was done to investigate epidemiology of brucellosis and its associated risk factors during 2001-2011. This descriptive-analytical study was done, demographic and epidemiological data on patients with brucellosis were obtained from the medical records in Qom province Health Center during 2001-2011. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 17. The mean incidence rate of brucellosis was 10.8 per 100000 people during 2001-2011. The greatest incidence was in 2004 (17.4 per 100000 people), whereas the lowest incidence was in 2009 (4.2 per 100000 people). Taking occupational exposure into account, the female household keepers, ranchers, farmers and students had the highest cases of brucellosis. The most age group was 20–29 years. The majority of patients had Wright test titer= 1:320 and 2ME titer = 1:160 in serology titration. the trend of brucellosis no specific pattern in Qom province in this period. This province is one of the regions with low incidence of brucellosis (1-27.7 per 100,000). In addition to agriculturists and dairy farmers, housewives and children are also at the risk of this disease.