Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a protozoan infection caused by a flagellated parasite complex known as Leishmania spp. Iran is an endemic area for CL. The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiological factors and geographical distribution of CL in Southwestern Khuzestan using the GIS method.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, epidemiologic and demographic data from 787 individuals affected by CL in Behbahan County, spanning the years 2002 to 2021, were collected. Patient locations were plotted on a point shapefile of villages, towns, and cities in Behbahan County, and geographic data were analyzed using ArcGIS version 10.

Results: Out of the 787 studied cases, 512 (65%) were male. Lesions appeared in various regions of the body, with 41% of cases involving the hands. The highest annual incidence rate was recorded in 2009, at approximately 40 cases per 100,000 population, whereas the lowest incidence rate occurred in 2002, at 5.8 per 100,000 population. Noticeable variations in disease prevalence were identified among non-Iranian individuals, rural populations (including pastoral and peri-urban areas), males, and younger individuals. Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis indicated that the most affected areas were located in the central region (Behbahan or Markazi area) and the southern region (Zeydoon) of the mapped topography.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the necessity of implementing effective prevention and control measures to alleviate the burden of CL in Behbahan County. These measures should include targeted health education campaigns and vector control strategies, with a particular focus on regions identified as high-prevalence areas through GIS topographic analysis.