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Khan W, Khan I, Ullah H, Zain SNM, Panhwar WA, Mehmood SA, Ahmed S, Siyal GB, Ahmad MS, Shah M, Rafique T, Ali N, Salim M, Hussain A. Cutaneous leishmaniasis-Awareness, knowledge and practices among general population in rural and urban areas in Malakand region, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e238665. [PMID: 33825759 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.238665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malakand region is an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). However, there are limited number of studies of this disease in Pakistan. Therefore, a study was conducted to understand the level of awareness attitude and practice among the residents of Makaland towards CL and the disease vectors. This study adopted a cross-sectional approach with a total of 400 respondents (n=93 rural and n= 307 urban). Overall, the population in Malakand region (61.2%) were well-informed in the role of sand fly in transmitting diseases, but most lack knowledge on the vector's behavior and almost a quarter (24.5%) were unable to provide knowledge on proper control measures. Alarmingly, the practice and attitudes of the general population was not satisfactory as close to half (49.8%) of the population did adopt any control method. This study calls for increase in awareness through health education campaign to reduce the risk of cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreaks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Khan
- University of Malakand, Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - I Khan
- Swat Medical College, Medical College, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Medical Unit A, Saidu Sharif Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - H Ullah
- University of Peshawar, Department of Zoology, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - S N M Zain
- University of Malaya, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - W A Panhwar
- Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Department of Zoology, Miris, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - S A Mehmood
- Hazara University, Department of Zoology, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - S Ahmed
- Hazara University, Department of Zoology, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - G B Siyal
- Sindh University Jamshoro, Department of Zoology, Hyderabad, Pakistan
| | - M S Ahmad
- University of Swabi, Department of Zoology, Swabi, KP, Pakistan
| | - M Shah
- University of Swat, Centre for Animal Sciences & Fisheries, Swat, Pakistan
| | - T Rafique
- University of Malakand, Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - N Ali
- University of Haripur Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - M Salim
- University of Haripur, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - A Hussain
- University of Haripur, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Haripur, Pakistan
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Khan W, Nisa NN, Ullah S, Rehbar B, Ahmad S, Siyal GB, Ahmad A, Khalid S, Zada K, Ullah N. Morphology and ectoparasite spectrum of Pteropus vampyrus (the flying fox) in different parts of Malakand Division, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2019; 80:523-528. [PMID: 31644647 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.214614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Three districts viz. Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, were surveyed for the collection of Pteropus vampyrus (the Indian flying fox) in Malakand division, the north western region of Pakistan from February to November 2018. A total of 35 specimens were captured. Out of the examined specimens 22 were found to be infected with ectoparasites. Three types of ectoparasites were observed including flies 20% (n=7/35), mites 28.5% (n=10/35) and bugs 14.2% (n=5/35). Male bats were more infected 57.1% (n=20/35) as compared to females 42.8% (n=15/35), however, no significant difference (p>0.05) was noted. Flies were recovered from wings membrane and head region, mites were found on wings, ears and around eyes while bugs were found attached on body surface and neck region. Body weight, circumference and wing span of male bats were greater as compared to female bats and were considered a key factor in clear cut identification of male and female Pteropus vampyrus (the Indian flyingfox). It was concluded that Pteropus vampyrus from north western part of Pakistan were parasitized by a varied parasite fauna with high infestation rates. We assume that in male bats the number of parasites is generally higher than in females. Our results revealed new insights into parasite fauna of Pteropus vampyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Khan
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - N N Nisa
- Southern Zone-Agricultural Research Center, Vertebrate Pest Control Institute, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - S Ullah
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - B Rehbar
- Department of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - S Ahmad
- Department of Zoology, University of Hazara, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - G B Siyal
- Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan
| | - A Ahmad
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Khalid
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - K Zada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
| | - N Ullah
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Lower Dir, Pakistan
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