Epidemiological characteristics and dynamics of brucellosis incidence among people in Azerbaijan (2017-2021)

Abstract

Relevance. The development of preventive measures and the improvement of the system of medical care for the treatment of zoonotic infections depend on the identification of the incidence rate and important risk factors. The present study aims to determine some epidemiological indicators and trends in the incidence of brucellosis among people in Azerbaijan from 2017 to 2021.

Methods. Descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out on the basis of the Electronic Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2017-2021. Epidemiological reports on each case of the disease were used to collect data on demographic and background characteristics, risk factors, laboratory test results.

Results. In total, 1,711 newly reported cases of brucellosis have been registered in Azerbaijan from 2017 to 2021. The highest (5.3) and lowest (2.2) incidence rates per 100,000 population were observed in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The highest rates during the observation period were in the cities of Baku and Sumgayit, Shemkir region. The cumulative percentages of the disease were estimated for various variables by the following indicators: by sex: 70.6% for men; by age groups: 10.7% for the age group 26-30; by occupation: unemployed 45.8%; by place of residence: 81.6% for residents of districts and villages.

Conclusions. Despite the general decrease in the number of newly reported cases of brucellosis by years and cumulative characteristics, a detailed descriptive analysis revealed epidemiological features of the spread of cases by years depending on risk groups.