using gis in explaining spatial distribution of brucellosis in an endemic district in iran

background: to check the feasibility of using geographical information system (gis) methods, we linked the brucellosis data of human and animals. methods: in a village-based ecological study in bardsir- a district in kerman province located nearly to the central part of iran- data of human brucellosis, socio-economic level, and livestock characteristics (2001-4) were linked by using gis methods. results: annual incidence of human brucellosis was 141.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. most of the high risk villages were seen in the north and south of bardsir (3.6% of villages). a positive association was observed between the frequency of brucellosis and density of cattle (or=1.81, p= 0.007). in addition, the size of human population was an independent determinant factor (or= 1.94, p< 0.001). no association was found between frequency of the disease and socio-economic indicators and also the density of sheep. conclusion: our study showed that we could generate informative risk maps of brucellosis using health and veterinary data which might improve the quality of control programme in iran.