title: Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the endemic area of Jericho, Palestine.
abstract: This study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jericho city and the adjacent Aqbat-Jaber refugee camp investigated the seroprevalance of Leishmania major and the risk factors associated with acquiring the disease. Clinical and parasitology identification of cases showed children and young men were more affected, with the head most affected in children. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test sera from 190 individuals. The overall seroprevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis was 26.3%. A case-control study of 247 individual in 37 households showed that a higher level of education of the head of the household and having children sleep under bed nets were significantly related to a lower incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: Islah Medical Laboratory, Islah Charitable Social Society, Jericho, Palestine.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Jawabreh
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barghuthy
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Schnur
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schönian
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abdeen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*