Study of the epidemiological attributes of visceral leishmaniasis in Meshkin-Shahr district, Ardebil Province, North-West of Iran (1987-2006)

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases in terms of human injury and economic consequences which has a wide range of clinical protests of skin damage to fatal visceral discomfort covers. Kala-azar is a Mediterranean-type in and its main reservoirs are dogs and canine family. Currently the most common disease centers are in parts of provinces such as Ardebil, Fars, East of Azerbaijan, Bushehr, , and North of Khorasan. This study aimed to review the epidemiological characteristics of kala-azar cases in hospitalized patients and cases reported to health centers and Emam-Khomeini hospital in Meshkin-Shahr County. : This retrospective descriptive study was performed over a period of 20 years, from 1986 until 2006. Collected epidemiological data of visceral leishmaniasis in human were analyzed by spss. : The total number of patients from the year 1988 to 2005 that were affected by this disease and were reported in Emam-Khomeini hospital and health centers of Meshkin-Shahr County were 2623. With respect to age division, 98.1 percent were below 10 years old; 54.8 percent were male and 45.2 percent were female based on sexuality and the male to female ratio of disease was1.2 respectively. The maximum out breaking of kala-azar disease with 32.6 percent were in spring and winter, the minimum with 17.5 percent in summer and 17.1 percent in autumn. Most of the patients lived in rural areas. : Visceral leishmaniasis is a major health problem in Meshkin-Shahr County, in particular within the rural areas. Educational programs alongside ecological studies and more intense control is recommended.