Abstract
This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the occurrence of an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Erbil governorate and to determine the geographical distribution and clinical pattern of the disease during this outbreak. This cross-sectional study involved 234 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases from Erbil governorate. A questionnaire completed in an interview provided data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, risk factors, and preventive measures. About 60% of participants were younger than 35 years; 59.4% were living in urban areas. Most cases (40.2%) were from Maxmur district, while 20.9% were internally displaced persons and 7.7% were refugees. Nearly 70% of the cases had a low socioeconomic status. Cases with multiple lesions constituted 65.5%. Upper limb lesions constituted 44.7%. Most lesions were 1-5 cm in size (64.7%) and were wet (63.6%). Nearly three-quarters of the cases had a history of traveling to endemic areas; most (49.7%) to Maxmur district. Around 80% reported fogging around the houses and 44.4% in the working area. The peak incidence of the cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was in December, with a total of 115 cases. Cutaneous leishmaniasis was not endemic in Erbil governorate, but it became a public health challenge in 2015. Most of the cases were reported in Maxmur district and among internally displaced people and military personnel deployed there. Control and prevention activities, including fogging and spraying, face important challenges and need strengthening, especially in Maxmur district.
Highlights
This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the occurrence of an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Erbil governorate and to determine the geographical distribution and clinical pattern of the disease during this outbreak
Study population and sampling All clinically diagnosed cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases that occurred in Erbil governorate in 2015 and were registered in the Center for Disease Control of the Preventive Health Department were included in the study
Personal communication, December 25, 2015). This finding agrees with the findings reported by AL-Obiadi in Iraq [17], but not with those reported from Iran [24] (January to April) or Afghanistan (March to July) [26]
Summary
This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the occurrence of an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Erbil governorate and to determine the geographical distribution and clinical pattern of the disease during this outbreak. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 234 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases from Erbil governorate. Most cases (40.2%) were from Maxmur district, while 20.9% were internally displaced persons and 7.7% were refugees. Three-quarters of the cases had a history of traveling to endemic areas; most (49.7%) to Maxmur district. Conclusions: Cutaneous leishmaniasis was not endemic in Erbil governorate, but it became a public health challenge in 2015. Most of the cases were reported in Maxmur district and among internally displaced people and military personnel deployed there. Control and prevention activities, including fogging and spraying, face important challenges and need strengthening, especially in Maxmur district. The disease affects some of the poorest people on the planet and is associated with malnutrition, population displacement, poor housing, a weak immune system and lack of resources [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call