A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Cutaneous Leishmaniasis among Urban Endemic Communities of Quetta Division

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a tropical disease caused by a parasite from the bite of infected sandflies. It is a major health issue in Pakistan, especially in the Quetta region of Balochistan. Understanding and involving the community is crucial for preventing and controlling this disease. This study aimed to assess what people in Quetta know, believe, and do about CL to find out where more information is needed an d help create effective intervention plans.

Methodology: From July to September 2023, we conducted a survey with 100 participants from three MSF CL treatment centers: Bolan Medical Complex, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, and Kuchlak Health Center. We used a structured questionnaire to gather data, scoring answers as 1 for correct and 0 for incorrect or unsure. We analyzed the data using SPSS version 29.0.

Results: The participants were 71% male and 29% female, aged between 11 and 65 years. Most (89%) knew the local name for CL, but only 59% knew sandflies spread the disease, and just 7% knew these insects bite between dusk and dawn. While 80% understood that CL is a public health issue and 88% recognized the social stigma attached to it, more than half (53%) mistakenly thought it could spread from person to person. Preventive actions were lacking—89% used untreated bed nets, and 61% didn't use repellents. On a positive note, 94% preferred modern medical treatment over traditional methods.

Conclusion: The study highlights significant gaps in knowledge and prevention practices about CL among Quetta's residents. There is an urgent need for health education campaigns and localized interventions to increase awareness and reduce disease spread in cities where it is common.