Exploring the Beliefs and Experiences of Residents of Endemic Areas of Isfahan Regarding the Nature of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and Its Control: A Qualitative Study

Background and purpose: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major health priority in many tropical regions of the world. Understanding the beliefs and experiences of individuals in endemic areas is essential, as an in-depth understanding of these beliefs can inform the design of educational interventions tailored to the local context. Therefore, the present qualitative study aimed to explore the beliefs and experiences of residents in endemic areas of Isfahan regarding the nature of cutaneous leishmaniasis and its control. Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted in endemic areas of Isfahan province in 2020. The participants were individuals living in the region from various age, educational, occupational, and ethnic groups. To increase the strength of the data, additional individuals who were somehow related to this issue, including district officials, health center personnel, and school teachers, were also included in the study. Purposive sampling continued until data saturation was reached. A total of 34 interviews (3 group discussions and 31 individual interviews) were conducted. After conducting the interviews, categories and sub-categories were identified through content analysis. Results: Data analysis led to the identification of two main categories: The first category concerned misconceptions related to the nature of cutaneous leishmaniasis, with two subcategories: concepts about the cause of the disease and concepts about the carrier of the disease. The second category concerned misconceptions about the control of the disease, with two subcategories: concepts about prevention and concepts about treatment. Conclusion: This study identified misconceptions about cutaneous leishmaniasis and its control, which can be taken into consideration in developing educational programs aimed at effectively correcting beliefs and ultimately controlling cutaneous leishmaniasis.