Leishmaniasis Increase and Causes in Kabul City

Abstract

Parasites of the genus Leishmania are pathogenic for humans and animals and cause leishmaniosis. This disease can be seen in three forms: cutaneous, cutaneous-mucous, and visceral. Identification of Leishmania species in clinical infections is very important for advancing awareness, control, and prevention of the disease. Kabul province in Afghanistan is one of the important places infected with Leishmania parasites. In this study, the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniosis and its treatment methods in traditional medicine were studied in areas of Kabul province, Afghanistan. The population investigated in this study was primarily patients with cutaneous leishmaniosis who were referred to health centers (Leishmaniosis Hospitals) in endemic areas of the disease in the capital Kabul province. In addition to the capital of Kabul province, information on patients was also collected from different districts like Kart e now, Arzanqimat, Darlman, Desabz, Sarobi. Data collection of leishmaniasis patients was done using a questionnaire. After the statistical analysis of the obtained data, it was observed that women are significantly more affected by cutaneous leishmaniosis than men. It was also observed that gender, income, health facilities, travel, level of education, etc are effective in people suffering from this disease. Based on the collected information, the people of Kabul province use medicinal plants such as milk thistle, Asterberg, alkaloid plant, and Bolag oti to control leishmaniosis or Salak.