Community health of knowledge and attitude towards cutaneous leishmaniasis among rural residents in Esfarayen county, North Khorasan province of Iran

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) poses a significant public health challenge in Esfarayen County, northeastern Iran.The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of individuals regarding CL play a crucial role in controlling its spread in endemic areas.This study aimed to evaluate the KAP of 250 residents from three affected villages in Esfarayen.Methods: This community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study employed a quasi-experimental interventional design.A 65-item questionnaire was used to assess participants' KAP concerning CL.Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, analysis of variance, and simple linear regression for inferential statistics.Results: Among the 250 participants, 47.2 % were male, and 52.8 % were female, with a mean age of 33 years (13.85).Students comprised 34.8 % of the study population.While 90.4 % of participants had heard of CL and 91 % could identify its symptoms (e.g., cutaneous lesions), more than 60 % incorrectly attributed the transmission of CL to mosquito bites rather than sandflies.Participants' attitudes towards CL treatment were found to be unsatisfactory.Chi-square tests revealed a significant association between occupation, educational level, and awareness of the disease (p < 0.001). Conclusion:The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted health education programs to enhance residents' knowledge of CL and promote their active involvement in disease control efforts in the region.