An Epidemiological Study of Animal Bite cases in Rostam City of Fars province; ۲۰۱۵-۲۰۱۸

Background and Objective: Animal bites are one of the major public health problems in the world that can cause rabies transmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological status of animal bites in Rostam city of Fars province during the years ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۱۸.Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of ۳۰۷ animal bites registered in the rabies prevention and treatment center of Rostam city were included in the study by census method. Data were collected through the registration offices of individuals referring to the rabies center of the city and the portal system of the Ministry of Health. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distribution, percentage, mean and standard deviation and Chi-square test using SPSS version ۲۴.Results: ۳۰۷ animal bites were recorded, including ۱۹۶ (۶۳.۸%) males and ۱۱۱ (۳۶.۲%) females. Most bites occur in the age group of ۲۰ to ۳۹ years. most cases were self-employed (۲۹.۶%) and housewives (۲۶.۱%). Most cases of animal bites were reported in the village (۸۱%). Most cases of bites were caused by dogs (۶۲.۲%). In ۱۶.۳% of cases, the bite was vaccinated with serum therapy. There was a relationship between sex and the type of biting animal (P <۰.۰۵). Also, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the place of occurrence of the accident and the time of referral for receiving anticonvulsant treatment.Conclusion: The incidence of animal bites in Rostam city is high and most of these cases belong to rural areas. Due to the injuries of the animal bite, the risk of transmitting rabies, the high cost of vaccination and serum therapy, it is necessary to prepare control programs, training and vaccination of dogs.

Keywords:

Animal bites , Epidemiologic , Rostam , Rabies