Prevention and control of leishmaniasis: a systematic review

Abstract

The research was mainly focused on leishmaniasis, which is considered a chronic parasitic and endemic disease that has spread in many parts of the world. This disease is transmitted to humans via vectors through the bite of insects of the family Psychodidae. The overall objective was to develop a systematic review on the prevention and control of leishmaniasis in the population. In order to develop this research in the Methodology, a systematic review was developed, characterised by a process of collection, selection and evaluation of retrospective studies that allowed arguing the need for this research on the prevention and control of leishmaniasis. From 50 studies explicitly presented in an Excel database on the disease, 14 were selected as a final sample. It was found among the main results that leishmaniasis is an endemic disease controlled through antimonials. Malnourished people are more vulnerable, it is common in children in rural areas, and its clinical manifestations include fever, splenomegaly, anaemia and leucopenia. In conclusion, leishmaniasis is an endemic disease treated in the health sector mainly through care and control rather than prevention.