Frequency Distribution of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Central Region of Iran

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease and one of the most widespread diseases in our country. This illness is a significant public health concern in most Iranian provinces. Therefore, it is necessary to study the prevalence and identification of new sources of this problem in many regions of Iran. The present study was intended to investigate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Yazd city. This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on 121 patients with leishmaniasis in Nicopoor Center, Yazd in 2017. According to ethical and research standards, information about patients, including their gender, age, occupation, location and number of lesions and month of illness were collected and evaluated using SPSS Statistics, Version 21. The highest incidence of leishmaniasis occurred in adults over 50 years of age (28.9%) and in children under the age of 10 (23.1%). An incidence of 41.3% was observed for other occupations, including driver, farmer and child. In second place, the highest frequency was related to housewives (25.6%), and in third place, a higher frequency was observed in students (19%). The most common venereal sites were the hands (38.8%), in second place the feet (28.1%) and in third place the face (15.7%). The highest seasonal frequency of leishmaniasis occurred during the autumn. In light of the current study findings and the adverse effects of leishmaniasis, it is necessary to design strategies with the aim of controlling the disease and to implement appropriate actions with the intention of decreasing its prevalence nationally.