Expense of treatment of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Isfahan province in 1999

Background: Evaluation of the impacts cutaneous of leishmaniasis (CL) on the patients, their family and government are necessary. Unfortunately these evaluations have not been done. Objective: Due to increased incidence of CL in Isfahan province especially in rural areas, this study was done to assess the expenses of this disease in Isfahan in 1999. Patients and Methods: 196 patients were selected randomly from four areas of Isfahan province (2 rural and 2 urban), on the basis of data from Health Center in 1999. The amount of money that was paid for physician visit, traveling, accessory expenses (For example to buy insecticide), injections, dressing and drugs for treatment of CL were asked and recorded. Results: The mean amount paid in rural and urban areas were 208307 and 457327 Rials, respectively. Conclusion: Incidence of CL is about 10-30 thousands of patients in Isfahan each year, therefore the yearly expense of treatment is about 3-6 milliard Rials. We must change our strategies for controlling and eradicating this problem.