Masoumeh Bagheri - Department of Medical Entomology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences,Shiraz, Iran
Ali-Akbar Nouroozi - BS in Public Health, health center of Khatam city, Yazd, Iran
Saeed Jafari - MSc in Environmental Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences,Yazd, Iran
Ehsan Saki - Department of Medical Entomology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences,Shiraz, Iran

Background: Scorpion sting is a major and serious health problem in many parts of Iran. Khatam city, Yazd Province is one of the areas where several reports of scorpion stings occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of scorpion stings.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the major epidemiological and demographic characteristics of scorpions stings in Khatam city.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed by collection of information (gender, age, season, location of sting) about all the scorpion patients in health center during 2015-2016.Results: The results showed that the total number of scorpion stings was 56 cases. The majority of the patients were (66.7%) within the age group of 15-24 years (66.7%), female (19, 33.9%), 39 of the cases were rural (69.6%) and 17 urban (30.35%), (21, 37.5%) of victims were stung on the leg, (29, 51.7%) on their hand, (6, 10.7%) on their trunks. The highest incidence rate was observed in May to September(44, 78.5%).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Scorpion sting is a serious health problem in Khatam city, Yazd Province. The highest incidence rate was observed in the the summer months. Therefore Performance of the control strategies such as : Awareness and Public education can help to prevent scorpion stings.

Scorpion sting, epidemiological, demographic