Animal bite incidence in the County of Shush, Iran

Objective: To determine the epidemiology of animal bites during a five-year period (20042008) in Shush County, Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. Methods: In a descriptive cross sectional study, all cases of animal bites referred to the health centers in Shush County were investigated during 20042008. The necessary data were recorded on the special questionnaire that contains questions about bite animal, age, sex, occupation, treatment, the bite site on the body and so forth. Results: Out of a total of 2 283 cases that underwent the animal bites during the mentioned five years, 1 771 people (77.6%) were male and 511 (22.4%) were female. Most cases were related to age groups 1020 (33.4%) and 2030 (22%) years. The average incidence rate of animal bite during these years was determined as 2.82 cases per 1 000 people. The highest incidence rate was related to the year 2007 with 3 cases per 1 000 people. Animal bites in the winter (29.3%) and fall (29%) were more common. Almost 86.5% and 13.5% of the cases occurred in rural areas and urban areas, respectively. Nearly 30% and 20.4% of cases were students and farmers, respectively. A total of 2 155 (94.4%) and 86 (3.8%) bites occurred by the dog and cat, respectively. The greatest bite place on the body was in the feet (81.4%) and in the hands (13%). During the study period, 2 162 cases (94.7%) were treated with an incomplete regimen, and 120 cases (5.3%) were treated with a complete regimen. Conclusions: Because the cost of prevention after biting for the health system is high, so, preventive programs must be concentrated on public health instruction, particularly in villagers, students, farmers and the owners of the domestic animals.