Prevalence and risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two villages of Adana province, Cukurova region, Turkey

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the incidence rates, vector species with the risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), in addition to preventive measures in two villages of Adana province, Çukurova Region, Turkey.
Material and Method: This prospective analytic study performed between March 1^st of 2006 and 2007 comprised 567 people (male-to-female ratio of 45.0% to 55.0%) with 265 living in Turunçlu and 302 in Hocalli villages of Yüregir district of Adana province. The villages were visited on a monthly basis and the new cases were identified by microscopic examination of smear materials from lesions. Phlebotomine flies caught by light and adhesive traps located into poultry coops and barns underwent population density count and species identification.
Findings: Eleven cases were newly-diagnosed among 41 cases detected in both villages.
The CL frequency was significantly higher in Turunçlu village (27 cases) compared to Hocalli (14 cases). The prevalence and incidence rates of CL were determined as 72.3/1000 and 19.4/1000, respectively, with a male-to-female ratio of 17 to 24, and 46.4% of cases being observed at 0-14 years old age group. The CL frequency was not found to be related to the presence of whitewashing on the house-walls and the presence of domestic animals, in contrast to a lower frequency of CL among mosquito-net users. CL lesions were mostly (53.7%) observed in the head and neck region. During the one-year follow-up period, the total number of sand-flies captured in Hocalli and Turunçlu villages was 28 and 60, respectively. The predominant species was Ph.tobbi.
Conclusion and Suggestions: CL frequency was not found to be different between males and females. CL frequency was found to be significantly higher in Turunçlu village, in the head and neck region and among people not using mosquito-net, the latter being a measure easily achieved by education.