Distribution of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Regards to Age and Sex in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a disease that has a rapid geographical spread and the number of occurrences is increasing. The disease is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus which sucks human blood during the day, so that the tramission might be related to human activities. In this sense, human activities are related to age and sex. This study aims to analyze descriptively the incidence of dengue fever based on age and sex. Secondary data in the form of data on DHF patients, including their age and sex, in the period of 2008 to 2013 were obtained from the Health Office of Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The results show: (1) the aspect of age: the number of occurrences in toddlers and children 5 to 14 years old ranged from 23.39% to 40.20% (35.68%), and the number of occurrences in patients ≥ 15 years old (adults) ranged from 47.90% to 66.13 % (51.39%); (2) the aspect of sex: it appears that the occurrences in male patients numbering as many as 770 (52.13%) were slightly higher than for females, numbering 707 (47.87%). It is concluded that the incidence of DHF in the Sleman Regency in the period of 2008 to 2013 is higher in adults and slightly higher in males.