Demographic Study and Risk Factors Associated With Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever among Patients in Thi-Qar, Iraq

Abstract

Background:

A high mortality rate is associated with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a viral fever that is caused by infection with Narivirus, a member of the Bunyavirus family, and is reported sporadically in Iraq.

Materials and methods:

Confirmed cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Thi-Qar city, Iraq, from 2021 to 2023 were included in this study. The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the patients were described using frequencies and percentages. The epidemic trajectory represented the duration and timing of the outbreak.

Results:

More than half of the patients, 113 (55.9%) were males. Females represent 89 (44.1%) of patients. The mean age of the patient was 36.63 ±16.23, ranging from 6 years to 78 years. Less than one-quarter of them, 21.4%, presented with age group (20-30) years. The majority of patients got an infection in the Year 2022 (N=162, 80.2%), and the majority of them got an infection during May (N=42, 20.8%) and June (N=44, 21.8%). The majority of patients (N=70, 37.6%) were housewives. Animal breeders represent (N=17, 9.1%), and butchers represent (N=19, 10.2%). Death among patients represents (N=52, 28.6%), and patients who get a complete cure represent (N=127, 69.8%). While there was no significant correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and the outcome of patients with hemorrhagic fever, there was a significant association between the year of infection and the outcome of patients with hemorrhagic fever (P< 0.001).