Background: Leishmaniasis is important public
health problem owing to its impact on morbidity
and mortality and difficulties in application of
effective control measures.
Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the
using of impregnate bed nets in the control of
leishmaniasis.
Methods: The study was conducted throughout
the years 2004 and 2005, in Diala Governorate
(about 60km north-east Baghdad). This is the first
study in Iraq for evaluation of the impregnated bed
net in control of leishmaniasis. Two villages were
selected to achieve this aim. The nets were
distributed for the first village to be used by their
population. The second village was served as
control.
Results: The results revealed that there was a significant
decline in the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis from
19.23 per 1000 (before net distribution) to 3.34 per 1000
(after net distribution). On other hand, there was no
significant difference in the incidence in the second
village (control) as it was 13.42 to 12.46 per 1000.
Conclusions: Impregnated bed net is effective in the
reduction of leishmaniasis incidence when used properly
as a control measures
