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Journal of Entomology

Year: 2014 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 238-247
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Authors

H. Kassiri

A. Kasiri

M. Fardin-Mohammadjani

Keywords

Research Article

A Cross-sectional Study on Scorpionism in Masjed Soleyman County, Southwestern Iran

H. Kassiri, A. Kasiri and M. Fardin-Mohammadjani
In Iran, scorpions are the important causative agents of toxication and deaths among venomous animals. Understanding about their epidemiologic characteristics could lead to the utilization of suitable preventive methods. Therefore, with the aim of contributing to basic knowledge on scorpion sting as acommon health problem, epidemiological features of scorpionism have been investigated in Masjed Soleyman County, Khuzestan Province, South west of Iran, over a two year period (2006-2007). This is a descriptive study which was done in Masjed Soleyman County. All the patients which were referred to Masjed Soleyman health services centers were assayed. Some data about epidemiologic and demography parameters were collected and recorded bya physician in a questionnaire. Then, these information were analyzed in SPSS by using descriptive statistics. During the period of study, 11169 cases of scorpion stings had been reported to Masjed Soleyman health services centers. Of total 11169 studied patients 54.4% were male. Feet (39.3%) and hands (37%) were the most common body part affected. The highest incidence of envenoming occurred during the first three months of the year, with the highest peak in May (14.4%). The most cases occurred during spring (36.8%) and summer (33.8%) seasons. Our experience indicates that scorpionism appeared with more frequency in the urban areas (79.6%). In all, 20.4% of individuals were from rural regions. Scorpion stings have been mostly seen in individuals of the age of 15 and over (77.4%). In this study, 14% of the stings were in children aged up to 10 years while those aged 44 and over constituted only 18.6% of the reported accidents. About 10.5 and 50.8% of envenomed cases were due to black and yellow scorpions, respectively. A good control plan for this region should be observed all year long, particularly ago or during the greater risk periods. As regards scorpion envenoming is of a seasonal feature in Masjed Soleyman County, it is possible to forespeak the greater incidence periods and take the relevant measures.
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