Kamel, M., Tayel, S., Darwish, I. (2001). Pattern of Animal Bites in Alexandria. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 31(4), 715-732. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.219762
Mohamed I. Kamel; Salwa S. Tayel; Iman A. Darwish. "Pattern of Animal Bites in Alexandria". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 31, 4, 2001, 715-732. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.219762
Kamel, M., Tayel, S., Darwish, I. (2001). 'Pattern of Animal Bites in Alexandria', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 31(4), pp. 715-732. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.219762
Kamel, M., Tayel, S., Darwish, I. Pattern of Animal Bites in Alexandria. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 2001; 31(4): 715-732. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.219762
Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
Animal bites, especially dog bites, are a public health problem in several countries. Although rabies is almost always fatal yet, it is a preventable disease. Reliable data on animal bites are scarce in many countries making it difficult to assess its full impact on human health. The objectives of the present study were to study the epidemiological features of individuals bitten by animals attending the governmental health facilities providing antirabies prophylaxis in Alexandria in the year 2000 and to analyze the available data on rabies cases from fever hospital records 'during the period from 1990-2000. The descriptive epidemiological approach was chosen as a research methodology. The target population of the study was all victims of animal bites attending Alexandria governmental health facilities providing rabies vaccines. Records of animal bites in each health facility were checked for the completion of vaccination schedule. In addition, records of rabies cases kept in the fever hospital during the period from 1990-2000 were analyzed. The results revealed that the total number of individuals bitten by animals attending for receiving post exposure prophylaxis of rabies in Alexandria in the year 2000 were 5978; with an overall incidence rate of 168.4/100,000 population. The age of victims ranged from two months up to the age of 77 years with a median age of 18.5 years. The majority of victims [72.9%] were males with an incidence rate of 240.6/100,000 males population. The highest percentages of bites occurred in August and July [10.8% and 10.6% respectively]. Feet/legs were the most common affected site [42.8%] followed by hand/forearm [35.9%]. Dogs were the offending animals for about two thirds of victims [65.9%]. Rats came the second in rank [22.6%]. Only 49.6% received complete vaccination schedule.
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