J. Exp. Zool. India Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 341-345, 2013 ISSN 0972-0030

MALARIAL SITUATION IN THE GOTVAND COUNTY, SOUTH WEST OF DURING 1995 -2011

H. Alipour, R. -Behbahani, J. Shamsi** and B. Hoseinpour** Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran *Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran **Gotvand Health Center, University of Medical Sciences, Khuzestan, Iran (Accepted 28 December 2012)

ABSTRACT : Objective: The aim of this study was to analysis the current situation of malaria in the Gotvand County , south of Iran. Methods: This survey was a descriptive study to assess epidemiological characteristics of the malaria disease from April 1995 to March 2011, using all patients’ data from total of the County, finally; the data were analyzed by SPSS 16 soft ware. Results: A total 46 cases disease reported during 1995-2011and two types of species of Malaria parasite were detected (98% p. vivax and 2% falciparum). The highest number positive cases (n=23) in 1995 were reported. Malaria positive cases of Gotvand were mainly (63%) found among male individuals. The annual parasite incidence (API), which is the index of malaria incidence in the community, has decreased from 0.42 in 1995 to 0.02 in 2011. Most of the malaria positive cases were found among Iranian (%70) in addition, 30% were found among Afghan refugees. Conclusions: The finding of the present study showed that the inclusion of malaria in national program of control malaria, identification and following up the Afghan refugees were effective to control of malaria in this region.

Key words: Malaria, Gotvand, Khuzestan, Epidemiology, Iran.

Corresponding author: Veys-Behbahani Rahele, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Tell: 09387743473, e-mail: [email protected]