Cutaneous Leishmanasis and Health Awareness to Prevent its Spread in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by an unicellular flagellated parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania. The infection occurs when a sand fly bites the skin of the vertebral host, leaving a deep sore with deformation of the skin area.Data were collected in the current study based on various criteria, including gender, seasonal diversity, age groups and house environment.Males recorded a higher mean infection than females reaching 72.2 compared to 64.0 for females. The highest mean infection was in Winter, reaching 79.0 compared to the lowest mean infection recorded in the Autumn, which was 10.0. The age groups between 4-12 years recorded the highest mean infection reach to 29.0 compared to the other age groups. The housing environment also hada clear effect on the mean infection reaching 100.0, in the village, which is higher than in the city asit reached 36.20. Cutaneous leishmaniasiscases number differ according to many factors like sexes, seasonal diversity, age groups and housing environment.Given the seriousness of this disease, health measures must be taken to avoid exposure to sand flies that transmit the disease.