Investigation of the Epidemiological Situation of Malta Fever in the Cities under Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during the years 2016 to 2022

Abstract

Background Management of Malta fever disease requires policy-making and accurate epidemiological statistics and information. Aim The present study was conducted to determine the epidemiological status of Malta fever. Materials and Methods This study is of the secondary data analysis type, which was conducted using the recorded data of patients with brucellosis in the health center of Mashhad City from 2016 to 2022. Data related to 12,714 cases of brucellosis were analyzed using R software and Chi-2, Pearson, and independent t-statistical tests. Results The average age of the patients was 33.18 ± 18.81 years. About 87% of disease cases were related to rural areas and 13% to urban areas. The average annual incidence of the disease was 287 cases per 100,000 population at risk of the disease. The highest incidence rate was in 2020, and the lowest incidence rate was in 2016. The most cases of disease were related to the first three months of the year, and the least cases were related to the last three months of the year. Most cases of the disease were related to housewives, cattle breeders, and farmers. Conclusion The incidence of the disease increased from the beginning of the study to 2020 and decreased from 2020 to the end of the study. Health policymakers should integrate medicine, ecology, and education for the prevention and control of brucellosis. This holistic strategy recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to address the multifaceted nature of the disease.