Burden and risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Introduction Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health problem in Ethiopia.About 30 million people are at risk, and there are 20,000 to 50,000 new cases annually. It is maintained by rock hyraxes and Phlebotomus sand flies. Different studies showed the presence and risk factors of CL. However, there is no study on the pooled prevalence and risk factors. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and risk factors of CL in Ethiopia. Method We retrieved published articles from different databases. The review was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis was done with Stata software version 14. The forest plot with random-effect model and inverse variance index was used to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence interval and heterogeneity of articles, respectively.Results A total of 99,226 people from 19 studies were screened. The overall pooled prevalence of CL was 20.4% with 95% CI (15.67-25.13%). The pooled prevalence is a weighted average of results of the included 19 studies. Highest pooled prevalence, 65.39% (95% CI: 61.14-69.47%), was in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), and the lowest was 1.53% (95% CI: 1.43-1.63%) in Amhara Region. Children were the most affected age group. Living in a home close to farmlands, outdoor sleeping behavior, the presence of gorge, hyrax, cracked walls, animal dung, and other cases in the neighborhood were identified as risk factors for CL. ConclusionThere is high burden of CL in Ethiopia. Larger surveys are required. Health education on the prevention and control strategies shall be implemented.

Epidemiological and clinical profiles of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia: A multicenter study

“…Ethiopia is among the east African countries with high burden of CL (10)(11)(12). There are 30 million people at risk, with 20,000 to 40,000 new reported cases annually (13)(14)(15).…”

Magnitude and associated factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis among patients visiting Nefas Mewcha primary hospital, Northern Ethiopia, 2022: An institution-based Cross-sectional study

“… 15 Environmental and/or climate changes, poverty, immunodeficiency, particularly due to AIDS, sleeping outside the house due to conflict, poor housing conditions, tourism, migration to endemic areas in search of work, and a lack or inappropriate utilisation of protective equipment were the main contributors to increasing the incidence of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. 6 16–21 Apart from the prevention and control strategies of CL, early screening, diagnosis and treatment of identified patients are crucial to reducing the psychological and economic impact of the disease. 10 However, there are only a few selected health institutions in the country that have the capacity to diagnose and treat CL, with the majority located in cities far from endemic areas.…”

Effects of cutaneous leishmaniasis on patients' quality of life in Lay Gayint District, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Ethiopia [4,5] and in the Lay Gayint District [6]. There are 30 million Ethiopians at risk, with an estimated 50,000 cases yearly [5,7].…”

“…Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Ethiopia [4,5] and in the Lay Gayint District [6]. There are 30 million Ethiopians at risk, with an estimated 50,000 cases yearly [5,7]. However, this is likely to be greatly underestimated not only because of the natural history of the infection but also due to the remoteness of many endemic areas and the lack of periodic surveillance in the country.…”

“…However, this is likely to be greatly underestimated not only because of the natural history of the infection but also due to the remoteness of many endemic areas and the lack of periodic surveillance in the country. Ethiopiais among east African countries with high burden of CL [5,8,9]. Like other areas, CL is characterized by three different clinical forms in Ethiopia: localised cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL).…”