Study on Medical Students' Knowledge, Performance, and Understanding of Parasitic Diseases, With a Focus on Leishmania.

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a prevalent parasitic disease in the tropical and subtropical regions of Iran and represents a major public health concern in the country. This study is aimed at assessing the level of knowledge, performance, and recognition among medical students regarding parasitic diseases, with particular emphasis on Leishmania infections. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, focusing on a population of medical students, including interns and residents. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of three main sections: demographic information (including age, gender, education level, history of student parasitic disease, student's previous clinical exposure to patients with parasitic infections, parasitology course grade, and main sources of information), knowledge, and performance assessment. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 26. Independent t-test, chi-square, and one-way ANOVA were used to assess the relationships between demographic variables and levels of awareness and performance. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: According to the results, 50.2% of the participants were female, most of whom were single, with a mean age of 25.52 ± 3.107 years. The average scores for knowledge and performance regarding parasitic diseases-with an emphasis on Leishmania-were 13.681 ± 3.706 and 16.195 ± 0.902, respectively. These findings indicate that the students possessed a moderate level of knowledge but demonstrated good performance. Notably, awareness levels were significantly higher among female students and interns. Conclusion: It is important to highlight that enhancing the awareness of medical students through face-to-face training, mobile-based education, and seminars can significantly reduce the risk of leishmaniasis transmission. By bridging the gap between public awareness and practical implementation, these future healthcare professionals who play a crucial role in education and treatment will be better qualified to control parasitic diseases.