LEISHMANIASES SURVEY IN THE AWASH VALLEY - LEISHMANIN SKIN-TEST PROFILE IN THE UPPER AWASH AND SURROUNDING AREAS

The occurrence of leishmanial infection in the Upper Awash and the sur rounding areas was assessed in a survey conducted between December 199 4 to March 1995, employing a cross-sectional leishmanin skin test. Out of the 803 study subjects skin tested, 775 (97%) returned for the rea ding of the reaction. The rate of leishmanin positivity in 10 represen tative study sites ranged from 16% to 65% with the over all prevalence of 33% in the study area. Prevalence of leishmanin positive skin test increased with age in male sex (40%) and in the indigenous Afars (60% ), a profile suggesting a particular form of outdoor exposure to trans mission. The difference in leishmanin positivity by study sites, sex a nd ethnic background were all statistically significant (X-2 = 72.9; P < 0.001, X-2 = 16.2; P < 0.001 and X-2 = 62.8; P < 0.001 respectively ). The current status of overt leishmanial disease in the area and the implication of the skin test findings are discussed.