Study on epidemiological status, spatial and temporal distribution of human brucellosis in kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province during 2011-2017

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common diseases between humans and livestock. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and determine the risk factors related to spatial distribution of human brucellosis in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study, in which 741 brucellosis patients were entered in the study during 7 years. Arc geographic information system version 10.2 software was used to create a spatial distribution map. The analysis of this study was performed using the SPSS software version 24 using Chi-square, independent t-test and ANOVA with a statistical significance level of P = 0.05. Results: Seasonal pattern of brucellosis was observed in this province with significant increase in spring and summer (P < 0.001). The highest incidence rate was found in ranchers (40%) and housewives (33.6%) (P < 0.001). The highest incidence of the disease (20/10,000 people) was observed in Kohgiluyeh city which was centred in Dehdasht. Furthermore, seven disease prevalence centres (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) were detected by Kernel density analysis in terms of prevalence rate per square kilometre that the western density centre (Centre C) was identified as the main centre of the disease incidence (P < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it can be said that climatic features affect the incidence of brucellosis. Due to the high prevalence of brucellosis in male rancher and rural housewives and the identification of density centres of diseases incidence of in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, it is necessary prevention and control of brucellosis measures should be taken seriously in high-risk areas. Keywords:Brucellosis; geographic information system; incidence; Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad; spatial distributio