Abstract
Background The leishmaniasis is an emerging health problem in dry zone of Sri Lanka. The multiplicity of factors involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis constitutes a challenge to its control. Knowledge of such factors may contribute to identify the control strategies. Although Medical officers have been given training on leishmaniasis, still patients with leishmaniasis had been diagnosed incorrectly. Aim of the study was to analysis of the diagnosis pattern of leishmaniasis patients by the primary care medical officers and to identify potential socio demographic and environmental risk factors of leishmaniasis transmission. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study conducted among the leishmaniasis patients attending to the Dermatology clinic, Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura during November 2015 to November 2016 using interviewer administered questionnaire. Results The study sample was 300 leishmaniasis patients .Male to female ratio was 2:1.The commonest affected age group was 20 to 40 years .Lesser number (33%) had heard about leishmaniasis. Nearly one forth (23%) of patients had been diagnosed incorrectly at the primary health care level. Nearly 50%of patients got leishmaniasis due to occupation related activities. Most (75%) of patients had paddy fields, large number of Banana bushes, Manna bushes and large wild area near their residence. Nearly 50% of patients had water channel near their residence. All most all (96%) patients use bed nets. Conclusion Nearly one forth of patients missed diagnosis at the primary health care level. Paddy fields, Banana bushes, Manna bushes, large wild area and water channels close to residence may play role in leishmaniasis transmission.
Highlights
Leishmaniasis is poverty related, neglected vector born disease caused by a protozoan parasite which is transmitted by the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sandflies[1, 2].The first autochthonous case of leishmaniasis was reported in 1992 from Southern province of Sri Lanka.[3]In 2003, causative species was identified as Leishmania donovani zymodeme MON-37.4Mucocutaneous and visceral involvements were first reported in 20055, 6and 20067, 8 respectively caused by the same species
A descriptive cross sectional study conducted among the leishmaniasis patients attending to the Dermatology clinic, Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura during November 2015 to November 2016 using interviewer administered questionnaire
Environmental factors that can affect the incidence of leishmaniasis include urbanization, domestication of the transmission cycle and the incursion of agricultural farms and settlements in to forested areas.[1, 11]
Summary
Leishmaniasis is poverty related, neglected vector born disease caused by a protozoan parasite which is transmitted by the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sandflies[1, 2].The first autochthonous case of leishmaniasis was reported in 1992 from Southern province of Sri Lanka.[3]In 2003, causative species was identified as Leishmania donovani zymodeme MON-37.4Mucocutaneous and visceral involvements were first reported in 20055, 6and 20067, 8 respectively caused by the same species. The first autochthonous case of leishmaniasis was reported in 1992 from Southern province of Sri Lanka.[3]. Occasional cases are reported from all the provinces in Sri Lanka, Southern[9] and North-Central province[10] are the endemic reporting more than 2000 cases annually. The multiplicity of factors involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis constitutes a challenge to its control. Knowledge of such factors may contribute to identify the control strategies. Aim of the study was to analysis of the diagnosis pattern of leishmaniasis patients by the primary care medical officers and to identify potential socio demographic and environmental risk factors of leishmaniasis transmission
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