Prevalence of Brucellosis among the Hospital Patients of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Brucellosis is an occupational disease with those predominantly at risk either having close contact with livestock or handling them. In developing countries this disease has a public health significance as well as animals and economic implications for communities. The objective of the present study was to estimate the brucella infection among hospital patients in district Peshawar, Khyber PakhtunKhwa. A total of 678 blood samples were collected from patients originating from different hospitals located in Peshawar, over the period of three years (2009 – 2011). The blood samples were screened for brucellosis on the basis of serum plate agglutination test (SPAT). From the different occupational groups including farmer, livestock owners, employees and other patients, the prevalence of brucellosis was found to be 32.90%, 32.67%, 29.20% and 27.04%, respectively. Moreover higher prevalence of brucellosis was found in female patients (37.06%) and in the patients with age group of 41–60 years (35.06 %). In conclusion brucellosis is an important public health problem in and around district Peshawar. This disease can be prevented especially in rural areas through use of precautionary measure. It is recommended that public health authorities should educate the general public regarding prevention of the brucellosis.