Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Background and purpose: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (also known as oriental sore, tropical sore, chiclero ulcer, chiclero's ulcer or Aleppo boil) is still one of the most important health issues in many parts of Iran. The present research was conducted to study the epidemiological characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sabzevar in the last five years.
Materials and method: In the present research, all the registered cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from 2009-2013 were studied, and the researcher considered the patients’ information including age, sex, number and locations of lesions registered in their medical records. The data collected was input into SPSS version 16, and it was then analyzed descriptive statistical methods and chi-square test.
Findings: From as many as 2158 patients registered, 1227 patients (56.9%) were male, and 931 patients (43.1%) were female. As many as 346 patients (16%) lived in the city, and 1812 (84%) were rural residents. The most frequent age group suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis was 20-40 years (33.4%). Ulcer frequency on the body surface is as follows: one ulcer: 41.8%, two ulcers: 22.9%, and three and more ulcers: 35.3%. With respect to the infected organ, the percentage of the prevalence of the disease is as follows: 11.3% on face, 35.8% on hands, 22.2% on feet, and 30.7% on various organs at the same time. The prevalence distribution of the disease in the studied years is as follows: 2009: 220 cases, 2010: 318 cases, 2011: 631 cases, 2012: 507 cases, and 2013: 482 cases.
Conclusion: Given the findings obtained, it can be concluded that Sabzevar is one of the important areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic, and this calls for continuous care of the disease to put the disease under control.
