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.
  
  
  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.affiliation: Health Faculty Zenica, Primary Health Care Center Kakanj, Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alickovic
authors.affiliation: Health Faculty Zenica, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Lejla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calkic
authors.affiliation: Health Faculty Zenica, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina ; Health Faculty Zenica, Cantonal Institute of Public Health Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tandir
authors.affiliation: Health Faculty Zenica, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina ; Health Faculty Zenica, Cantonal Institute of Public Health Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Suad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sivic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
keywords: Zenica-Doboj Canton; epidemiological characteristics; meningococcal meningitis