EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF SCORPION ENVENOMATION SYNDROME, A THREEE YEAR EXPERIENCE, DEZFUL COUNTY, SOUTH-WESTERN IRAN

Objective: Scorpions envenomation cases are prevalent in Iran due to its socioeconomical structure, weather and geographical situations. Scorpion sting is significant health challenge in Khuzestan Province, South-western Iran. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology findings of scorpion stings in Dezful, a county in the southwest of Iran. Methods: This study was based on the 2281 subjects with scorpion stings from 2012 to 2014. A questionnaire was distributed to physicians in county health care facilities to collect patient data [age, gender, month, geographical region, location of sting in the body, sting time in the day, interval time between sting and antivenin injection, sting scorpion history, history of receiving antivenin, color of scorpion and injection site of antivenin]. Scorpion [color of scorpion] identification was made according to the color of scorpion defined by the patient. This information was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Analysis of questionnaire data revealed that 506 of the 2281 scorpion stings resulted from black scorpions [22.2%]. Also, 1775 of the cases [77.8%] were reported as yellow scorpion stings. Out of the 2281 scorpionism cases, 770 took place in the summer period [33.7%], the monthly distribution being as October [12.6%], July [11.9%] and June [ 11.9%]. Meantime, 39 of the cases were encountered in February [1.7%] and 36 in January [1.5%]. It is also seen from the findings that women were more liable to scorpion sting than men, the cases being reported as 54.9% for women and 45.1% for men. With respect to age groups, it is shown the 25 – 34 age group has faced more scorpion sting [26.7%] than the other groups, the distribution being 24.5% for the 15-24 age group, 14% for the 35-44 age group and 8.9% for 45-54 age group. The body locations of stings given in the study are 37.1% for upper extremities and 42.7% for lower extremities. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that intoxications caused in Dezful County were seen in summer and in hot months, especially in October, June and July. Females and males above 15 years of age were mostly affected and stung from extremities. Key Words: Epidemiology, Scorpion Sting, Iran.