Knowledge, attitudes and practices about leishmaniasis among cutaneous leishmaniasis patients in Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Aleppo and yet the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of CL patients in Aleppo has never been studied. We conducted a KAP study among 70 CL patients attending 4 clinics in Aleppo. Participants were interviewed at recruitment and then at the end of treatment to ascertain their views on access to treatment and the quality of care provided. The mean age of respondents was 32.3 (SD 12.4) years and 59% were female. Most respondents referred to the disease as “one-year sore”, linked it to insect bites and believed it was not contagious. Most believed it was preventable by the use of bednets and insecticides and knew the treatment mode. Only 26 (37%) respondents completed the second part of the questionnaire after treatment. Most of these (80%) rated the quality of care as acceptable or better. Assessment of the quality as “bad” correlated with failure to complete follow-up.