An Investigation into Some Aspects of the Epidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Saris, Addis Ababa
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the endemic diseases in Ethiopia. It’s widespread
over several parts of the highlands of the country. Currently, it is becoming a major
challenge in the highlands near and/or surrounding Addis Ababa. However, there was
little information on the prevalence of CL around Bulbula river basin in Saris adjoining
Saris Abo, Yoseph and Worku Sefer study sites, the suburbs of Addis Ababa. A survey
was carried out to describe some aspects of the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis
in the surroundings of Bulbula river in Saris (Addis Ababa) especially Saris Abo, Yoseph
and Worku Sefer. A house to house survey of the study population (1010 persons) was
undertaken of Saris Abo, Yoseph and Worku Sefer. Clinical, smear, culture and
Leishmanin skin test (LST) were used to detect Leishmania parasite. Based on this
investigation; Saris Abo, Yoseph, and Worku Sefer study sites had infection rates of,
3.6%, 0.6% and 1.1%, respectively. The overall cutaneous lesihmanisis prevalence rate
was 1.7% (17/1010). More active cases were found aggregated around hyrax colonies in
Saris Abo site and most common in age group 10-19 years. Males were found to be the
most affected by the disease as compared to females. Since the males’ activities are
outdoors in the field, infection could probably have occurred near hyrax colonies (extradomiciliary
transmission). Uivariate multiple and pairwise comparisons showed
significant differences in age groups 10-19 and below (P= 0.03), study sites (P= 0.002)
and between sex (P= 0.02). This study suggests that CL has been found to be a public
health problem surrounding the Bulbula river basin, especially in the study site of Saris
Abo where the highest infection rate was recorded (3.6%).
Key words: Epidemiology, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Saris Abo, Yoseph, Worku Sefer.
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Keywords
Epidemiology, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Saris Abo, Yoseph, Worku Sefer