Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 19 1 2025 09 27 1767 1767 Ali Jalilian Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Seyedeh Zahra Parkhideh Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani Department of Biology & Control of Diseases Vectors, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali-Ashraf Aivazi Department of Biology and Vector Control, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Reza Pakzad Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Morteza Akbari Department of Biology and Vector Control, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Asadollah Jalali-Galousang Department of Biology and Vector Control, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Nasrin Rezaei Health Center of Mehran, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Sayana Rafizadeh 6Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Yavar Rassi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Arthropod-Borne Diseases Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran 2024 09 28 2025 01 25 Background: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases. The under­standing of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ZCL in Iran has not been thoroughly examined. This in­vestigation focused on the risk factors for ZCL within an endemic region in the Mehran District of Ilam Province. Methods: This case-control study was conducted from 2022 to 2023. Cases (n=372) were selected using the incident case approach from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Similarly, 372 controls were chosen through cluster random sampling from the general population. To measure exposure to various risk factors, a validated, research-developed questionnaire was utilized. Binary logistic regression modelling was employed to assess the association between the de­velopment of leishmaniasis and several risk factors. A p-value of 0.05 was set as the threshold for statistical signifi­cance. Results: Living near rodent nests or holes (Odds Ratio: 6.51), having bathroom and toilet located outside the house (OR: ), residing close to farms or gardens (OR: 8.26) or specific plants (OR: 6.22), observing a rodent near one's home (OR: 2.66), and the accumulation of building debris near residential areas (OR: 13.03) significantly increased risk of developing cutaneous leishmaniasis. In contrast, the use of insecticides (OR: 0.03) and lotions or other insect repel­lents (OR: 0.31) significantly decreased the risk of this disease. Conclusion: The development of ZCL in the Mehran district, Ilam province, southwest Iran, is hindered by inadequate health education and public awareness regarding the disease, as well as insufficient adherence to Iran's care guidelines. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1767 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1767/684