Incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous leishmaniasis at a Tertiary hospital in Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis, classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), poses significant health challenges in impoverished communities and has shown a rising incidence in recent years. This study examines the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Specialized Comprehensive Hospital (NEMMSCH) in the Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia. It represents the first study of CL conducted at this institution. METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at NEMMSCH, the primary referral center for the Hadiya Zone. The methodology involved a retrospective review of medical and pathology records for dermatology patients diagnosed between September 2021 and February 2025. RESULTS: Out of 105 clinically suspected cases, 60 were confirmed as CL through fine needle aspiration cytology. The incidence rate was found to be 2.7 per 1,000 dermatology patients, with a mean age of 23.95 years. Notably, both males and females were equally affected, while the majority of cases (71.7%) occurred in individuals over 15 years old. The study identified plaques as the most common clinical presentation, and lesions were predominantly localized to the face and upper extremities. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the incidence of CL within the study area. Enhanced training for healthcare providers and the implementation of community-level preventive measures are critical to halting its expansion. Furthermore, these results have significant implications for surveillance and public health planning. This study advocates for the provision of improved diagnostic and treatment options, as well as further research to identify the specific risk factors contributing to the disease's occurrence in the region.