Community health of knowledge and attitude towards cutaneous leishmaniasis among rural residents in Esfarayen county, North Khorasan province of Iran

Abstract

Background

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) poses a significant public health challenge in Esfarayen County, northeastern Iran. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of individuals regarding CL play a crucial role in controlling its spread in endemic areas. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP of 250 residents from three affected villages in Esfarayen.

Methods

This community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study employed a quasi-experimental interventional design. A 65-item questionnaire was used to assess participants' KAP concerning CL. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, analysis of variance, and simple linear regression for inferential statistics.

Results

Among the 250 participants, 47.2 % were male, and 52.8 % were female, with a mean age of 33 years (±13.85). Students comprised 34.8 % of the study population. While 90.4 % of participants had heard of CL and 91 % could identify its symptoms (e.g., cutaneous lesions), more than 60 % incorrectly attributed the transmission of CL to mosquito bites rather than sandflies. Participants' attitudes towards CL treatment were found to be unsatisfactory. Chi-square tests revealed a significant association between occupation, educational level, and awareness of the disease (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted health education programs to enhance residents' knowledge of CL and promote their active involvement in disease control efforts in the region.