Abstract
Background and Objectives : Malta fever, a zoonosis disease, which is a common health problem among people of East Azerbaijan, has imposed sanitary and economic damage to the society. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of interventions based on the need and epidemiological characteristics to control brucellosis in Charoaymaq city. Materials and Methods : This is a descriptive-analytic study which was conducted by collecting the information and applying interventions on the suspected patients of Malta fever in Charoaymaq. A reliable questionnaire , approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education was used for data collecting. According to the epidemiological situation of Malta fever in the region, some interventions such as providing face to face education to the patients and their families, establishing cooperation with organizations that play role on fighting with Malta fever were designed and applied. Follow up of the patients were conducted and then, the incidence and prevalence of the disease were investigated. Results : During the three years of the study (85 to 87) alongside with applying the interventions, the incidence of the disease was investigated. Among all registered patients (360 cases), 160 cases in year 85, 114 cases in year 86 and 86 case in year 87 were reported. From all of these cases, 40 cases were repeated relapsed as follows: 36 cases in year 85, 2 cases in year 86 and 2 cases in year 87. Information about age, occupation, place of residence, gender, history of contact with animals, history of dairy products use, incidence season and results of Wright's test were studied on the patients. From all of the cases, male patients by % 55, patients living in villages by %78, patients with animal contact history by %99, patients with a history of dairy products use by %94, housekeeper patients with %27.5, patients from age group 31-50 years with %23/3 had highest rate of Malta fever infection. Furthermore, the highest identification and incidence season was during spring with %43.3 of cases and majority of the cases (%68.1) had been identified with the results of Wright's test by 1. 640. Conclusion : The results of this study shows that designing prevention programs should be considered alongside with epidemiological factors involved in incidence of disease within the region. Considering the results of primary assessment, this study was performed based on interventions tailored for groups at risk for three years that resulted in reducing the number of patients and repeated (relapse) cases of the disease