epidemiological factors of cutaneous lieshmaniasis in patients reffered to health centers in kermanshah province (2001 – 2006)

background: annual report of cutaneous leishmaniasis (cl) is around 20-40 per 100000 and the numbers are on the rise. one of the areas where significant numbers of people are diagnosed with the condition is the iranian province of kermanshah. this is the result of the unique ecology of the region, having the endemic focus in its warm areas. we decided to examine the epidemiological factors of cl in this province. methods: this is an analytic-descriptive study of cl patients who had medical records filed in different health centers in kermanshah over the period 2001- 2006. all sample slides were stained with giemsa and examined by light microscope. results: overall 727 cases were studied. the prevalence came out at 0.0387 percent which was 2.12 times higher in males compared to females. most patients were aged 20 to 29. the highest seasonal prevalence for the condition scored for the fall at 35%. 32.5% of the patients had a history of traveling to endemic areas. the majority of the patients (54.4%) had a single lesion. conclusion: our results showed that epidemiological factors such as age, sex, season and traveling to endemic areas had influenced the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in this province. the information not only reflects the current status of cl in kermanshah but also can be used to develop and later assess preventional and treatment programs.