Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Incidence regarding different occupations in Jajarm County, North Khorasan Province, Northeastern Iran

Background: Leishmaniasis is among the neglected tropical diseases which World Health Organization (WHO) considered as one of the 10 most important parasitic diseases in tropical areas. Jajarm is considered as one of the endemic foci of Leishmaniasis. This study carried out to determine one epidemiological aspect of leishmaniasis in Jajarm County North Khorasan Province.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of people with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis based on different occupations which could be an important epidemiological aspect of the disease.Materials and Methods: This study was performed on patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis who referred to health centers, clinics, outpatient clinics and hospitals of Jajarm County during 2009-2017. After necessary tests and confirmation of the disease, their information was recorded in the patients specific forms.Results: Over eight year period of study 629 individuals diagnosed with leishmaniasis. The number of patients in terms of different occupations were 42 office workers (6.7 %), 47 labor workers (7.5%), 62 farmers (9.9%), 121 homemakers (19.2%), 134 students (21.3%), 142 children (22.6%), 28 self-employed persons (4.5%), 13 unemployed persons (2.1%), and 40 persons of other occupations (6.4%). The most frequent groups were children, students, and homemakers and the least frequencies were observed in unemployed and self-employed persons.Conclusion: It can be concluded that children and students use less preventive measures than other groups and are more likely to be exposed to the disease. Raising awareness of the disease among people with different occupations, especially children and students can be an effective deterrent against the spread of the disease

Keywords:

Leishmaniasis , frequency , occupations