Effect of education on teacher's knowledge towards leshmaniasis in Kashan

With respect to the importance of prevention on disease process and also bear in mind the fact of leshmaniasis as an endemic disease in Kashan, teachers education could play an utmost role in the process of disease control. Thus their knowledge towards the leshmaniasis should be considered. It was a quasi experimental study. 1300 teachers had entered the pretest, among whom, 776 have continued their cooperation and took part in post test. Their knowledge was evaluated using 16 criteria. Their knowledge was reevaluated one month late r following they have received a training pamphlet. Data analysis was performed using Mc Nemar test. Meanwhile, the association between age, sex, marital status, level of education, etc with knowledge was evaluated. Of 776 teachers, 462 were primary school and 314 were guidance school teachers. The level of knowledge was increased from 77.8% to 86.9%. This increment was statistically significant on all criteria. The least knowledge was towards the etiology of leshmaniasis (30.2%), however, following the training material this knowledge was improved to 61.9%. Training materials can be helpful to promote teachers knowledge. Similar activities are highly recommended.