Investigated of Epidemiological and Incidence of Human Brucellosis in Southwest of Iran, a Retrospective Study from 2014 to 2021

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease worldwide, primarily caused by Brucella abortus, and can lead to potential infertility in both men and women. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of brucellosis over a seven-year period (2014 - 2021) in Andika city. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the medical records of brucellosis patients at the Health Vice-Chancellor of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, during 2014 - 2021. The study variables included age, gender, history of contact with infected animals, place of residence, occupation, consumption of dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), and education. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Results: A total of 162 patients were reported from 2014 to 2021. The highest number of brucellosis cases occurred in 2015. In this study, 42% of the patients were men and 58% were women. Of the total patients, 62.3% were from rural areas, while 37.7% were from other areas. Among occupational groups, homemakers had the highest frequency of brucellosis cases at 30.2%. The age group with the highest incidence was 21 - 30 years, at 21%. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the majority of patients were from rural areas and were female. The incidence of brucellosis in Andika city appears to be decreasing. Since human brucellosis incidence closely correlates with the incidence in animals, controlling the disease in animals can help reduce human cases.