Using GIS in Explaining Spatial Distribution of Brucellosis in an Endemic District in Iran

• Main Authors: AA Haghdoost, L Kawaguchi, A Mirzazadeh, H Rashidi, A Sarafinejad, AR Baniasadi, C Davies
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2007-05-01
• Series: Iranian Journal of Public Health
• Subjects: Risk map; Human brucellosis
• Online Access: http://journals.tums.ac.ir/PdfMed.aspx?pdf_med=/upload_files/pdf/3144.pdf&manuscript_id=3144

Background: To check the feasibility of using geographical information system (GIS) methods, we linked the brucellosis data of human and animals. Methods: In a village-based ecological study in Bardsir- a district in Kerman Province located nearly to the central part of Iran- data of human brucellosis, socio-economic level, and livestock characteristics (2001-4) were linked by using GIS methods. Results: Annual incidence of human brucellosis was 141.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Most of the high risk villages were seen in the north and south of Bardsir (3.6% of villages). A positive association was observed between the frequency of brucellosis and density of cattle (OR=1.81, P= 0.007). In addition, the size of human population was an independent determinant factor (OR= 1.94, P< 0.001). No association was found between frequency of the disease and socio-economic indicators and also the density of sheep. Conclusion: Our study showed that we could generate informative risk maps of brucellosis using health and veterinary data which might improve the quality of control programme in Iran.