Abstract

Scorpion sting is a medical problem and a life-threatening hazard in many parts of the globe including Iran. Data on scorpion envenomation is available for many parts of Iran, but not for Aghajri County. Scorpions are widely distributed in Iran. Sixty-four species have been identified in Iran, with at least 18 of these recorded in Khuzestan Province. The present study aims to assess the risk of scorpionism and to clarify the epidemiological characteristics of scorpionism in this county. This study was based on 553 cases of scorpion stings submitted to the medical and health centers of Aghajri County (30 degrees 42'02"N 49 degrees 49'53"E), Iran, over a period of 4 years. Epidemiological information of victims in Aghajri was obtained from a standard data sheet and analyzed by SPSS 16 software. Values obtained were considered to be significantly different if p<0.05. The total number of scorpion stings reviewed in Aghajri County over the period 2012-2015 was 553, including 295 males (53.3) and 258 females (46.7). Of total cases 55.7 were residing in urban areas and 44.3 were in rural areas. Stings were found throughout the year with the largest seasonal incidence during the summer (46.3) and the lowest in the winter (4.9). Most cases of scorpion stings occurred during August, July and September with highest rates 15.7, 15.4 and 15.2, respectively. The highest and lowest rates were recorded in people aged 25-44 (39) and 0-9 (11.2 ), respectively. Most of the scorpion stings were located mainly on the exposed limbs (84.1), especially the upper limbs (42.3). Nocturnal stings exceeded the diurnal ones with a ratio of 1.89:1. All patients were treated and no deaths were reported. Most of the patients (60.6) had not a history of scorpion sting in the past. In terms of scorpion body color, yellow and black scorpions accounted for 56.4 and 43.6 of stings, respectively. Our results indicate that scorpionism is common in Aghajri County, particularly during the summer. The highest rate of stings were recorded in urban areas, therefore, training programs should be noticed for preventing scorpion sting in urban areas.