Open AccessEpidemiological characteristics and incidence rate of definite scorpion stings in Mahshahr County, Iran: multivariate analysis of 1 635 cases
Author(s) -
Hamid Kassiri,
Ali Kasiri,
Elnaz Kasiri,
Parvin Abdian,
Fatemeh Matori,
Mojgan Lotfi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60632-0
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , epidemiology , demography , sting , population , pediatrics , environmental health , physics , engineering , sociology , optics , aerospace engineering
Objective: To study the epidemiology of scorpion stings in Mahshahr County during 1997-2001.\udMethods: This descriptive study was based on 1 635 subjects from Mahshahr County who were\udadmitted to the health services centers in Mahshahr with definite scorpion stings during the 5-year\udperiod between 1997 to 2001. A questionnaire was distributed to physicians to gather patient\udinformation. Data taken from the questionnaires about these cases were analyzed with SPSS\udsoftware.\udResults: The frequency of cases was higher during 1998 (24.6%) and 1999 (23.1%). The average\udincidence was calculated 1.62 per 1 000 population for the mentioned years. A total of 1 034 (63.2%)\udcases were reported from urban areas. Frequency distribution of cases of scorpion stings by\udseasons included: spring (26.6%), summer (50.9%), autumn (19.9%) and winter (2.6%). The incidence\udof scorpion stings was found to be higher among males (63.6%). The most common sting site was\udfoot (54.8%). With respect to the age, it was shown that the 21-30 and 31-40 age groups presented\udmore scorpion stings 24.8% and 22.1%, respectively.\udConclusions: A well-being training schedule might be beneficial in protecting scorpion stings\udby utilization of shoes, gloves, clothes, care in handling stones and other objects. The higher\udincidence of injuries among those over 11 years of age conducts the consideration to outdoor sting.\udThis is mostly due to their job and their custom of pleasure leisure time. This is also observed\udfrom increasing frequency of stings during summer (50.9%), spring (26.6%), autumn (19.9%) rather\udthan winter (2.6%)