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Ponte Academic Journal
Sep 2020, Volume 76, Issue 9

PSYCHOSOCIAL AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS THAT AFFECT DELAYS IN SEEKING TREATMENT FOR CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN SANLIURFA

Author(s): Burcu BEYAZGUL ,Ibrahim KORUK, Sule ALLAHVERDI, Rustem KUZAN

J. Ponte - Sep 2020 - Volume 76 - Issue 9
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2020.9.4



Abstract:
Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) starts as localized erythematous lesions after the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, and if left untreated, proceeds to evolve into papules, nodules and ulcers. Those who apply late to the health center both have an increased risk of scarring and these patients serve as a reservoirs of infection. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that lead patients to delay seeking treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. \\\\r\\\\nMethodology/Principal Findings: This cross-sectional study includes adult CL patients treated in ?anl?urfa, Turkey. 235 people participated in the study (participation rate: 96.3%). Data were collected using a two-part patient information form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). 51.5% of the participants were female and the mean age was 36.8�0.9 years. 18.7 and 14.9% of all subjects had abnormal HADS anxiety and depression scores, respectively. DLQI scores showed that CL lesions had a very large effect on 15.0% and an extremely large effect on 4.3% of all patients. The average delay in seeking medical treatment after first noticing a CL lesion was 3.6�0.2 months. Delays were more common in the lower class and unemployed patients (3.8 fold higher), and among patients with no facial lesions (4.0 fold higher). \\\\r\\\\nConclusions/Significance: It is important to reduce delays in seeking treatment for early intervention, which requires public education to improve awareness and screening high-risk populations for CL.\\\\r\\\\nKeywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, seeking medical care, psychosocial factors.
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