RISK OF ACQUIRING CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN TRIBAL AREAS OF PAKISTAN

Risk of Acquiring Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the risk of acquiring cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in tribal areas of Pakistan.
Study Design: A cross sectional observational study.
Place and duration of study: Combined Military Hospital, Okara, from Oct 2014 to Mar 2015.
Material and Methods: A total of 4500 persons between the ages of 22 to 50 years, who were moved from central areas of Punjab to Waziristan on duty, were studied for the occurrence of CL. All cases was developed cutaneous lesions and were confirmed as having CL were included in the study. During the same period, 4300 persons living at Okara, who did not have any exposure to the Federally Administered Tribal Area in same age group, were also observed and studied as control group.
Results: A total of 36 patients suffered from CL in the study population, while one case from the control group developed the disease (p<0.05). This patient was resident of Sindh and had repeated visits to his home station.The risk of developing CL was greater in Waziristan as compared to central Punjab as odds ratio (OR) was calculated as 30.79.
Conclusion: There is substantial risk of developing CL in persons exposed to tribal areas of Pakistan.