title: Epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal meningitis in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton in period from 2008 to 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meningococcal meningitis now represents a significant public health problem, not only in developing countries but also in developed ones. The disease usually occurs sporadically, and much less in smaller epidemics. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal meningitis in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton in the five-year period from 2008 to 2012th. In total there were 38 reported and hospitalized patients, with an average of 7-8 patients per year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most commonly disease occurred in infants and young children (28.9%). The highest number was recorded in 2011, 10 cases or (26.3%). Most patients in the monitored period were registered in the municipality of Zenica-12 cases (31.6%) and Zepce 8 cases (21.1%). All hospitalized patients were sporadic cases, there has never been an epidemic in the observed period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidemic Meningitis is a very serious disease and a significant public health problem that requires a serious medical scientific approach for its resolution, primarily in finding adequate vaccine and its administration.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alickovic
authors.forename: Lejla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calkic
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tandir
authors.forename: Suad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sivic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult