An epidemiological study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Andimeshk (2005-2010)

Since Khuzestan province is neighboring cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic foci such as Esfahan، Bushehr and Ilam provinces and also considering the incidence of new foci in this province، present study aims to investigate some epidemiological aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis and to indicate the importance of controlling this problem in Andimeshk district.

This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was conducted from 2005 to 2010. Epidemiological data، including age، sex، location، occupation، number and wound positions and travel history of 605 patients inflicted to cutaneous leishmaniasis were recorded and analyzed by SPSS15.

Most of the patients were suffered from Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (61. 2%). According to the chi-square test، there was a significant difference between number of ACL (Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis) and ZCL (Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis) (38. 8%). Also، it showed a significant difference between number of male and female patients inflicted to Leishmaniasis (percentage of patients was more among male in comparison with female). Most of the patients had 15-24 year-old (41. 6%) and less than one year age group had the lowest percentage (1. 6%). Among the jobs، military folks were mostly inflicted to Leishmaniasis (31. 2%) and other jobs)nongovernmental Jobs) had the less percentage (4. 2%). Autumn had the most seasonal prevalence (44%). 25. 3% of the patients had expressed a history of residing or travel to endemic areas and 71. 7% of them didn’t have these backgrounds. Discussion &

Incremental trend of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Andimeshk district، which is mainly common among military groups، can indicate its ability to transfer to prone areas due to the military groups’ movement. Therefor finding its risk factors in these groups in order to properly control and prevent its spread to other societal groups should be considered as priority.