title: Epidemiological and geographical aspects of leishmaniasis in Tigray, northern Ethiopia: a retrospective analysis of medical records, 2005-2008.
abstract: Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases and epidemic outbreaks often occur worldwide. This paper reports some epidemiological features of the disease in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, with the aim of studying the disease distribution and the environmental factors that may have influenced it. Medical records from patients with Leishmania attending the Italian Dermatological Centre of Mekele in the period 2005-2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Age and gender distribution, clinical types, occupation, co-morbidity, urban/rural origin, altitude and rainfall were investigated. The result was 471 patients affected and the prevalent clinical form was cutaneous leishmaniasis (86%). Five main risk areas were identified in the Tigray highlands and only isolated cases were reported at altitudes below 1700m. The variables related to a higher risk of catching leishmaniasis were male gender, age over-14, poor education, outdoor activities and living at high altitudes. Climatic and environmental changes occurring in this region and land degradation are discussed as factors influencing leishmaniasis distribution. Further research including field missions and geomapping is needed to quantify the actual disease burden in the region.
authors: National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, via di San Gallicano 25/A, 00153 Rome, Italy.
authors: Aldo
authors: A
authors: Morrone
authors: Alessio
authors: A
authors: Pitidis
authors: Maria Chiara
authors: MC
authors: Pajno
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Dassoni
authors: Ottavio
authors: O
authors: Latini
authors: Gebre Ab
authors: GA
authors: Barnabas
authors: Valeska
authors: V
authors: Padovese
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007897:Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult