The severity of cutaneous leishmaniasis before and after the earthquake in Bam, southeastern Iran

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major disease with significant public health concerns in Iran. The objective of this study was to compare the severity of CL among the patients before and after the earthquake in the city and suburbs of Bam, southeastern Iran. This study was carried out as a descriptive—analytical manner by house-to-house visits in 2010 in Bam, southeastern Kerman province of Iran, where a massive earthquake has recently occurred. Overall, 1,481 individuals were selected as a cluster random sampling. Suspected lesions were detected by direct smear preparation and X² test was used for statistical significance at P < 0.05. Overall, 1,481 individuals (mean age; 25.7 ± 17.6 years) consisting of 51.4 % males and 48.6 % females were randomly selected. 549 individuals showed history of CL; 23.4 % belonged to before and 13.7 % belonged to after the earthquake. When the overall severity in terms of location, number, size and duration of lesions was considered, the lesions were less severe in the time period after the earthquake (P < 0.05) than those before the earthquake. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is currently considered as a growing public health concern worldwide, mainly due to creation of various risk factors particularly after a major natural disaster. Possibly the establishment of the CL health clinic to serve patients and to coordinate various activities had a major role in planning control strategies and thus reduction in severity of the CL disease.