[Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to cutaneous leishmaniasis among attendants of primary health care centers in Qassim Region - Saudi Arabia]

ABSTRACT

To determine knowledge of/and attitudes towards the infection with cutaneous leishmaniasis and the related practices among attendants of primary care centers of Qassim region. A descriptive cross sectional study. Participants [398] were interviewed and completed a structured questionnaire focusing on disease knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices. Approximately 43.2% of the participants showed an insufficient level of knowledge about the disease. The lowest level of knowledge was about how the disease is transmitted or prevented. The most common symptoms reported were a lesion [54.0%] and a scar [30.4%]. The infectious nature of the disease was known to 14.6% while 29.9% didn't know that the disease can be treated. The majority failed to link the disease spreads with vector bites [91.5%]. Most of participants [73.6%] did not recognized the biting time of the vector. Regression analysis ranked education, high income and presence or history of a case within the family the most significant determinants of knowledge variable. Participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding the disease transmission and the poor related protective practices against the transmitting vector. Educational interventions using different media are recommended