Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives:Hydatid cyst is one of the parasitic zoonotic diseases in Iran and the world,and a significant percentage of hospital beds are annually allocated to these patients. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological status of hydatid cyst in hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences during a 12-year period.

Methods:In this descriptive–analytic study, the medical records of all patients with hydatid cyst who underwent surgery in hospitals of Qom University of Medical Sciences from 2002 to 2013, were investigated. The demographical and clinical data were extracted from patients’ records. Data analysis was performed using chi square test.

Results:The number of patients during this period was 82. The mean age of patients was 38.80±17.20 (min=8 and max=69). 57.3% of the patients were female and 42.7% were male. The highest percentage of hydatid cyst was seen in menin the age group of 31-40 years (37.15%), and in women, in the age group of 21-31 (25.53%) were in the age group 21-30 years old. Frequency of the disease among housewives (51.3%) was higher than other occupational groups. Most of the patients (90%) lived in urban areas. Liver infection was seen in 74.3%of the patients.

Conclusion:Considering that the highest frequency of the disease was reported in economically active age group and that housewives are more at risk for this disease, therefore training programs for the prevention and control of the disease appears to be essential for target groups.