Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important health problems in different regions of Iran that occurs both in zoonotic and anthroponotic forms in different foci of Iran. The Khuzistan Province, located in the South West of Iran in vicinity of the Persian Gulf, is one of the oldest susceptible foci for CL in Iran. Objectives: Due to the lack of information about the conditions in the focus of Behbahan County, the present study was conducted to find out the epidemiology of CL in this area. Materials and Methods: The data of this descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of all patients with CL referred to the Behbahan County Health Center with the symptoms of CL and presence of leishman bodies in Giemsa-stained smears. Parasites considered to be Leishmania major according to the essence a great vacuole in the cytoplasm. Results: The study showed that the rate of CL incidence with the general rate of 0.18 per 1000 people. Ulcers were present in 172 patients, comprising 44.8% female and 55.2% male. In 55 cases (32%), the ulcers were located on the hand, in 54 cases (31.4%) on the feet, in 33 cases (19.2%) on the face and in 30 cases (17.4%) on other parts of the body. The highest incidence was found among patients with two age groups of 20 -29 (27.3%) and 10 -19 years old (26.2%). Conclusions: With respect to the increased prevalence of CL in Behbahan County, health care observers should pay close attention to prevent the disease spread.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:The role of cultural and demographic factors well has been described in prevalence of Cutaneous leishmaniasis. That is very important in the control of Cutaneous leishmaniasis in this county and Iran. The study area has an important strategic position, bordering with Iraq country.
Introduction: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a Zoonosis disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of educational intervention on practice improvement of employees in healthcare centers and meat distribution centers of Ilam province in relation to Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever. Materials and methods: Participants in present quasi-experimental study were 200 employees of healthcare centers and 75 workers of meat distribution centers that were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected at baseline and 6-weeks after intervention using two 38-item and 50-item questionnaires. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software. P<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: Before the educational intervention, 20.6% of the healthcare centers employees had poor knowledge, 61.8% and 17.6% had average and good knowledge, respectively. After educational intervention, these percentages were 2%, 22.1% and 76%; in that order. The workers' knowledge level in centers of meat processing-distribution before training was 64% poor, 34.7% average, and 1.3% good; but after education, the knowledge levels reached to 5.3%, 45.3% and 49.3%; respectively (P<0.05). Moreover, Attitude of employees in healthcare centers and meat distribution centers significantly increased after intervention (P<0.05). But, there were not significant changes in performance of two groups before and after educational intervention Conclusion: The results of present study showed the effect of educational intervention on improvement the knowledge, attitude of employees in healthcare and meat distribution centers. So, implementation of an educational program for employees at a wider scale could promote their health.
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