Epidemiologic Study of Brucellosis in Alexandria, Egypt

Adel, Maha I.; Abdou, Ahmed E.; Arafa, Mostafa A.; Ragab, Nahla K.

doi:10.21608/jhiph.2006.160186

Epidemiologic Study of Brucellosis in Alexandria, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt

² Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

³ Epidemiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

10.21608/jhiph.2006.160186

Abstract

Brucellosis is one of the world’s major zoonotic diseases and is responsible for enormous economic losses as well as considerable human morbidity in endemic areas. Although it is a notifiable disease in most countries in the region, it often remains unidentified and underreported. The aim of the study was to investigate possible risk factors for contracting brucellosis in Alexandria and studying the surveillance activities for brucellosis cases in the city. The study was conducted through a whole year, from January to December 2002 in two main hospitals; Alexandria Fever Hospital and Gamal Abd-Elnasser Insurance Hospital. A case control approach was used for implementation of the study. All cases of human brucellosis admitted to the selected hospitals were included in the study sample. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect the required information from both the patients and controls. The total number of the studied cases amounted to 95 cases. Their ages ranged from 3 years to 72 years with a mean of 31.8±14.8. The males to females ratio was 1.7:1. Multiple logistic regression sowed that rural residence, unsafe food items and dealing with animals and placenta are risk factors for developing brucellosis. Notification was reported in 94.7% of cases, withdrawal of milk samples in 22.1%. Health education was given for 97.9% and investigation from was fulfilled from 68.4% of cases.

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