A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic skin disease caused by Leishmania tropica that infects humans and other mammals, which are the final hosts of the parasite. The disease is transmitted by the vector host (female sandfly) Phlebotomus spp. when it feeds on the blood of the final host.Objective: Due to the importance of the disease, as it is endemic in Diyala Governorate, and to address its spread, this study aims to clarify the epidemiology of the disease and some demographic, economic, and social factors affecting its spread in some areas of the GovernorateMethods: The study was conducted in Baquba Teaching Hospital and the health centres in Muqdadiyah, Khanaqin, Jalawla, Saadiyah, and Balad Ruz during 2024 and included 1,501 patients suspected of having the disease, of both sexes and different age groups.Results: The study recorded 912 (60.759%) infected patients, including 550 males and 362 females, with percentages of 60.307% and 39.692%, respectively. Higher infection rates were among the age group of 1–10 years and the lowest among those more than 50 years of age (33.114%and 1.754%, respectively). The highest infection rate according to the body sites was in the face and head, and the lowest was in the trunk (47.149% and 10.964%, respectively). January and February showed the highest infection rates, and August had the lowest rate (31.140%,19.078%, and 1.644%, respectively). Within the areas under study, the infection rate was the highest in Baquba and the lowest in Saadiyah district (41.337% and 8.881%, respectively).Conclusion: Baghdad boil, as it is commonly known in Iraq, is an endemic disease in Diyala and is considered a health and social problem due to the physical and psychological damage it causes. Despite efforts to limit the disease, it still poses a health risk in the region, requiringconcerted efforts to limit and control it. How to cite this article:Mohammed S A J, Abed N D, Hassan H B. A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(3):61-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202568