Spatial analysis of animal bites in Iran(2015-2020):A cross-sectional study

Objective:To investigate the distribution pattern of animal bites in Mirjaveh,Iran from 2015 to 2020.Methods:The data on animal bites were collected from the Department of Infectious Diseases,the provincial health center.Monthly climatic data on precipitation and temperature during the study period were also collected.The correlation between incidence and temperature,precipitation rate,land type,and altitude was also analyzed.Results:The results showed that men were more affected by animal bites than women(76.4%,P<0.001),and the highest incidence rate occurred in the age group of 5-19 years.The incidence rate of animal bites was found to be correlated with temperature and altitude.An increase in temperature was associated with a rise in the incidence rate of animal bites.The number of animal bites increased until 2019,possibly due to an increase in the number of dogs in the area.Conclusions:Targeted interventions should be implemented to reduce the incidence of animal bites,particularly among children,housewives,and students.Improving access to appropriate treatments,increasing public awareness of the hazards of animal bites,and increasing the number of vaccinated dogs in the area are essential strategies to be considered.

Incidence rate of animal bites in southern Iran during 2015-2019 using Cochrane-Armitage trend test

Objective:To investigate the trend of animal bites in southern Iran from 2015 to 2019.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study of patients with animal bites who were referred to the Center for Disease Control in the three cities of Larestan,Evaz,and Khonj in Fars province,southern Iran from 2015 to 2019.The trend of animal bites incidence was analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test.Results:In total,from 2015 to 2019,1944 cases of animal bites were reported.A total of 79.8%of the cases were men.The overall average incidence of animal bites was 142.93 per 100000 people.The incidence of animal bites was significantly increased(Ptrend<0.001).The highest incidence was in November(79.04 per 100000 people)followed by January(76.1 per 100000 people)and February(69.48 per 100000 people);also,the lowest incidence was in August(47.42 per 100000 people)and July(50.0 per 100000 people).Conclusions:The incidence of animal bites has significantly increased.Given the importance of rabies,control and management of animal bites should be emphasized and considered.

Time series modeling of animal bites

Objective:To explore the modeling of time series of animal bite occurrence in northwest Iran.Methods:In this study,we analyzed surveillance time series data for animal bite cases in the northwest Iran province of Iran from 2011 to 2017.We used decomposition methods to explore seasonality and long-term trends and applied the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average(ARIMA)model to fit a univariate time series of animal bite incidence.The ARIMA modeling process involved selecting the time series,transforming the series,selecting the appropriate model,estimating parameters,and forecasting.Results:Our results using the Box Jenkins model showed a significant seasonal trend and an overall increase in animal bite incidents during the study period.The best-fitting model for the available data was a seasonal ARIMA model with drift in the form of ARIMA(2,0,0)(1,1,1).This model can be used to forecast the frequency of animal attacks in northwest Iran over the next two years,suggesting that the incidence of animal attacks in the region would continue to increase during this time frame(2018-2019).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that time series analysis is a useful method for investigating animal bite cases and predicting future occurrences.The existence of a seasonal trend in animal bites can also aid in planning healthcare services during different seasons of the year.Therefore,our study highlights the importance of implementing proactive measures to address the growing issue of animal bites in Iran.

Epidemiological characteristics and trends of animal bites in Neyshabur,Iran:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To investigate the trend of animal bites between 2015-2021 in Neyshabur,Iran.Methods:In this cross-sectional descriptive study,data were retrieved from the vice-chancellery of the Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences.The data included person variables,place and time variables,and animal variables.Results:There were 13190 cases of animal bites and the trend was increasing during 2015-2020.Most injuries were caused by dogs(86%),most animal bites(76.6%)occurred in males,and 28.1%of all cases were farmers.The most common bitten parts were the lower limbs(64.8%),often reported as a scratch(83.4%).Most of the biting animals(67.9%)were not strays,and 83.3%of them had bitten their owners.No rabies death was reported during the study period.Conclusions:The incidence of animal bites increases and is higher than the national statistics in Neyshabur,Iran.Serious attention and intervention should be given to control and prevent this health threat.

Healthcare utilization patterns and economic burden of animal bites:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To determine the healthcare utilization patterns and estimate the economic burden of animal bites in Golestan province,north part of Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of 12181 animal-bite patients from Golestan province who were referred to the rabies prophylaxis centers between March 2019 and March 2020.The study was a societal perspective,and all patients were investigated by census method.The micro-costing method with a bottom-up approach as well as the human capital approach were used to estimate the economic burden.Results:In our study,the economic burden caused by animal bites was estimated at$1383639(275354672060 Rials).The largest share of costs was related to direct healthcare costs,direct non-healthcare costs,and indirect costs accouting for 91%,5%,and 4%,respectively.In addition,the average cost of a animal-bite patient was estimated at$113.5(22605260 Rials)(The average cost of a case in type 2 and 3 exposures was$45 and$412.8,respectively).The largest share of direct healthcare costs was related to immunoglobulin,vaccine,and personnel expenses accounting for 61.3%,19.8%,and 11.65%,respectively.Conclusions:Our study shows that animal bites in Golestan province,north of Iran impose a high economic burden on the communities,especially the healthcare system,which indicates the need to review management and control programs of animal bites and rabies based on animal-bite patterns of the area.

A 10-year review and epidemiology of animal bite cases in Gerash city, south of Iran: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Objective:To determine the temporal trend and epidemiology of animal bite cases in Gerash City,Iran.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 630 cases of people with animal bites between 2011 and 2021 in Gerash City.The collected data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results:The mean age of victims was(30.9±17.5)years.80.54%Of victims were male,39.70%were self-employed,and 64.60%were adults(≥18 years).Most cases of bites occurred in 2019(91 cases),2020(74 cases)and 2021(87 cases),and most of the bites were related to the upper limbs(62.70%).Most of the wounds were superficial(78%),most of the biting animals were domestic animals(91.74%),and most of the victims had Iranian nationality(97.62%).Conclusions:Given the increasing trend of animal bites in Gerash City,health authorities should carry out basic measures such as education and awareness among the public,especially at-risk groups such as adult males.Additionally,since most cases of bites are due to dogs,it seems necessary to plan for vaccination of dogs,especially those with owners.

Epidemiology of animal bite injuries in North of Fars province in Iran

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological situation of animal bites in Rostam city of Fars province.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study.Cases of animal bites registered in health centers of Rostam city of Fars province from the beginning of 2014 to 2020 were analyzed using the census method.The tool for collecting information was the portal of the Ministry of Health and the registration offices of people who were referred to the rabies center.Results:A total of 628 cases of animal bites registered in health centers of Rostam city of Fars province from the beginning of 2014 to 2020.The mean age of the injured was(31.3±20.2)years.Of the total injured cases,414(65.9%)were male,and 491(78.2%)lived in villages.Most of the cases were bitten by dogs(n=420,66.8%)and the upper limb was involved in 280(55.2%)cases.In addition,an increasing trend was observed in the incidence of animal bites from 2015 to 2020.Conclusions:The incidence of animal bites in Rostam City is high,and most of the cases occur in rural areas.Considering the injuries caused by animal bites,the risk of rabies transmission,and the high costs of vaccination and serum therapy,it is necessary to hold control,educational,and vaccination programs.