Evaluating of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Medical Students about Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Gorgan, 2021-2022.

Background: As medical students are the future doctors and healthcare providers of the country, it is essential to evaluate their awareness, attitude, and practice about leishmaniasis. Therefore, we have decided to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical students in the clinical phase about cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 318 clinical students, including those in physiopathology, Extern-1, Extern-2, and internship phases at Golestan University of Medical Sciences. A questionnaire was designed, containing 28 questions divided into four sections: demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice. Data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and Chi-square tests.

Results: 318 individuals participated in the study, of which 193 (60.6%) individuals were female, and 125 (39.4%) individuals were male. 70 physiopathology students (100%), 72 Extern-1 students (93.5%), 73 Extern-2 students (92.4%), and 88 internship students (100%) had a good level of awareness. Among physiopathology students, 42 individuals (60%), 58 Extern-1 students, (75.3%), 71 Extern-2 students, (85.5%), and 88 (100%) internship individuals had a good attitude. The results of this research showed that 19 (27.1%) physiopathology students, 49 (63.6%) Extern-1 students, 27 (32.5%) Extern-2 students, and 42 (47.7%) interns had a good level of practice.

Conclusion: As future healthcare providers, medical students must possess a high level of knowledge, a positive attitude, and strong practice skills in managing conditions such as CL. Given the prevalence of this disease in the country, organizing targeted educational programs for medical students can significantly enhance their knowledge and abilities.