Epidemiological Survey of Scorpion Sting Cases and Identification of Scorpion Fauna in Hamadan City, Iran (2013)

Introduction & Iran is among the countries with a variety of scorpion species، particu-larly dangerous ones. Death due to scorpion sting occurs in all parts of the country. Mortality from scorpion sting depends on various factors such as scorpion species، age of the stung per-son، stung body site and geographical area. Considering the fact that so far no research on the fauna and epidemiological aspect of scorpion stings has been done in Hamadan city، we con-ducted this research. This is a cross sectional- descriptive study. To determine the scorpion fauna of the region using a random cluster sampling in specified locations from May to Sep-tember in 2013 and was attempting we caught scorpions and put them in containers of alcohol (70%) and identified them based on Iran scorpions´ key. In order to investigate cases of scor-pion stings، we referred to the health center of Hamadan province and using questionnaires، we collected data related to the patients during 2010-2013. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. A total of 98 collected scorpion species named Mesobuthus eupeus، Androctonus crassicauda، Odontobuthus doriae and Razianus zarudnyi (Family: Buthidae)، were identified. Mesobuthus eupeus species with 89. 7% of the samples collected had the highest frequency. Totally، 797 cases of scorpion sting were documented in the Health Center of Hamadan Prov-ince، including 498 (62. 5%) male and 299 (37. 5%) females. The results of this study showed that most cases of scorpion stings in the age group of 25 to 34 years، in 2011 in July and in the rural areas were 29. 6%، 33. 1%، 28. 9%، 64. 4%، respectively. The most stung organs were hands، with 48. 2%. All patients (100%) during the study were treated. Due to the low-risk species of scorpions in the region and lack of mortality reports in the past few years، it is recommended to revise administering anti-scorpion serum in the health centers. Adequate training and awareness related to scorpions and prevention is the first step in reducing scorpion sting.