Demographic and Epidemiological Study of Brucellosis in the Kohgilooye and Boyerahmad Province, 2009 -2013

Brucellosis or Malta fever is a highly contagious zoonosis disease. In addition to clinical complications, the disease leads to an important economic loss. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and epidemiological prevalence of brucellosis in the Kohgilooye and Boyerahmad province (2009-2013). The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 374 patients with brucellosis in a period of five-year (2009-2013). Demographic data and address of all patients were obtained from the health centers of Kohgilooye and Boyerahmad province and analyzed based on the statistical methods. For data analysis, descriptive and analytical tests were performed. Distribution of patients in this study showed that the majority of patients were in the Kohgilooye, Boyerahmad and Gachsaran districts, respectively, and the lowest were in Basht and Bahmaei districts. Among 374 patients, 8.5%, 23.5% and 68% of cases showed nomadic, urban and rural origin, respectvely. 84% of patients had a history of contact with animals and 31.5% were ranchers and slaughterhouse workers in the province. 50.5% and 49.5% of patients were female and male respectively.The mean age of patients was 39 years old. Contact with livestock plays an important role in prevalence of brucellosis in this province. Refering to report of notable urban cases, consumption of contaminated diary may have priority in the urban regions. This study provides a guideline for health managers to determine hazard regions of brucellosis and so perform the more efficient and with lower budget control deals in this province.