title: Forecasting and prediction of scorpion sting cases in Biskra province, Algeria, using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to highlight some epidemiological aspects of scorpion envenomations, to analyse and interpret the available data for Biskra province, Algeria, and to develop a forecasting model for scorpion sting cases in Biskra province, which records the highest number of scorpion stings in Algeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  In addition to analysing the epidemiological profile of scorpion stings that occurred throughout the year 2013, we used the Box-Jenkins approach to fit a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model to the monthly recorded scorpion sting cases in Biskra from 2000 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The epidemiological analysis revealed that scorpion stings were reported continuously throughout the year, with peaks in the summer months. The most affected age group was 15 to 49 years old, with a male predominance. The most prone human body areas were the upper and lower limbs. The majority of cases (95.9%) were classified as mild envenomations. The time series analysis showed that a (5,1,0)×(0,1,1)12SARIMA model offered the best fit to the scorpion sting surveillance data. This model was used to predict scorpion sting cases for the year 2013, and the fitted data showed considerable agreement with the actual data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SARIMA models are useful for monitoring scorpion sting cases, and provide an estimate of the variability to be expected in future scorpion sting cases. This knowledge is helpful in predicting whether an unusual situation is developing or not, and could therefore assist decision-makers in strengthening the province's prevention and control measures and in initiating rapid response measures.
authors.affiliation: L'IFORCE, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Schehrazad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Selmane
authors.affiliation: Health and Hospital Reform Services, Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: L'Hadj
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Algeria; Biskra; Epidemiology; Forecasting; Scorpion stings; Time series