Prevalence and Community Awareness of Leishmaniasis in Quetta: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a significant public health concern in Quetta, Pakistan, characterized by its complex transmission dynamics influenced by environmental, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of leishmaniasis in Quetta from November 2023 to February 2024 through a questionnaire-based approach involving 387 respondents. The demographic analysis revealed that the majority of participants were female (64.0%) and predominantly belonged to the age group of 18-27 years (69.5%). Knowledge and awareness regarding leishmaniasis were assessed, with 73.6% of respondents indicating previous awareness of the disease. However, gaps in understanding symptoms and prevention methods were evident, as only 50.6% recognized fever, weight loss, and loss of appetite as symptoms.Spatial analysis indicated geographic clusters with higher prevalence rates, emphasizing localized transmission dynamics. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between temperature and leishmaniasis incidence (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), while multiple linear regression models explained 60% of the variance in disease prevalence (R² = 0.60, p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that individuals residing near breeding sites were 2.5 times more likely to contract leishmaniasis (OR = 2.50, p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant association was found between poverty levels and leishmaniasis prevalence (χ² = 18.34, p < 0.001).These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions that consider demographic characteristics and environmental conditions to effectively combat leishmaniasis in Quetta. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to further explore these relationships and develop comprehensive prevention strategies.