Javed Akbar, Hamayun Rashid Rathor, Soaib Ali Hassan, Hazrat Bilal, Imtinan Akram Khan, Muhammad Idrees.
Gaps analysis in knowledge, practices and control responses to combat cutaneous leishmaniasis in Bagh AJ&K.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;3(2):6-13.

Background: Patients are potential reservoirs and if not responded properly they are playing vital role in transmission, especially anthroponotic cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) transmission. Method: Cross sectional survey conducted to investigate the gaps and strengths of healthcare providers to respond the cases of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in primary healthcare facilities. Results: Most of health facilities (>88%) had no specified staff to respond neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The majority of available staff (80%) had inadequate knowledge about treatment and transmission mechanism of cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Majority of respondents (70%) were neither reporting nor notifying CLcases. Knowledge about first and second line responses were significant (70% know what to do). Conclusion: Socio-demographic situation of primary health care system favor the existence of human reservoir for further transmission of cutaneous Leishmaniasis. There is a huge gap in indigenous and technical knowledge and practices regarding detection and treatment of cases at health sector . (Pak J Public Health 2013; 3(2): 6-13)

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com