Knowledge,attitude,and practices related to cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis,Southern Iran

• Published in: Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine Vol. 4; no. 7; pp. 566 - 569
• Main Authors: Sarkari, Bahador, Qasem, Asgari, Shafaf, Mohammad Reza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier B.V 01.07.2014; Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Attitudes; attitudes and opinions; Basic Researches; common names; Culicidae; Cutaneous; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; health education; interviews; Iran; Knowledge; leishmaniasis; males; Phlebotominae; Practices; questionnaires; surveys; traditional medicine; Iran; Practices; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Attitudes; Iran; Knowledge
• ISSN: 2221-1691; 2588-9222
• DOI: 10.12980/APJTB.4.2014C744

Objective:To assess knowledge,attitudes,and practices(KAP)of inhabitants of an endemic area it)Fars province toward cutaneous leishmaniasis(CI).Methods:the study was carried out in Lapui district in Fars province,south of Iran,one of the most important foci of CL in this province.Sample size(237 residents)was calculated based on population.House-to-house survey was done to collect the data regarding knowledge,attitudes,and practices of the inhabitants.The head of each household was interviewed by a trained staff to assess his/her KAP related to CL.A semi-structured KAP questionnaire was used for data collection.Results:Mean age of participants was 39 and more titan half of the respondents were in the age group of 31-40.Males constituted 172(72.5%)of subjects.Most of the respondents(84.3%)were literate.The majority of the study poulation(83%)had heard about SalaJc(local name for CL)and most of these respondents(91%)were aware that CL is presented with a cutaneous lesion.Nearly two-third of the participants(63.5%)stated the bite of mosquito(not specifically sandflies)for CL transmission.The respondents’attitude regarding the treatment of CL was not satisfactory since Only 48%believed that CL can be treated by medicine.A noticeable proportion of respondents(21%)believed in indigenous medicine for the treatment of CL.A small proportion of respondents(14%)stated that traditional healers are good at treating this disease.More than two-third(69%)of respondents believed that the disease is preventable although most of interviewees did not know about preventive measures.Conclusions:In this study,insufficient knowledge of community about infection nature,vector,transmission mode and preventive measures of CL,highlights the needs for a health education initiative to enhance the awareness of people about CL.This would improve inhabitants’contribution in control program of CL in this area.