Background :  Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease which have worldwide public health and a social problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis have one or several long-lasting lesions on the skin.

Objective: To asses prevalence and knowledge of   Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Aleku areas of Sayo worda, Kellem Wollega Zone , Oromia, Ethiopia.

Method: A community-based cross-sectional   study was conducted in three kebeles of Aleku areas from June 8- 22,   2017. 211 households with 1074 families’ members were assessed for cutaneous leishmaiasis. Data were collected by microscopic demonstration of leishmania parasite by skin slit smear and lesion scraping for parasite culture using NNN media, direct observation of CL scars   on   individuals and interviewing the heads of households using structured questionnaires. Descriptive Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 for windows.

Result:  The overall prevalence of CL in the Aleku areas was 6.98% (2.05% for active lesion and 4.93 % for scar). During active case detection, 33 suspected lesions were found, of which 22 were confirmed as CL cases. Most of Individuals with active lesion of CL were male, young children   and students. Active lesions of CL on individuals of Aleku area were clinically characterized as Single (83.36 %), Local Cutaneous leishmaniasis ( 86.4% ) and ulcerative (50%). The distribution of lesions over the body of the study subjects showed that the nose was the most commonly affected parts as 45.5% (10/22) of individuals had the lesion on their nose.  Followed by the Cheek (31.8%) and the lips involvement (13.6 %). Almost all  local community of Aleku area consider CL as if the disease were transmitted  while   in contact with urine of bats and name it as “dhukkuba Simbira” In Afan Oromo  to mean the disease of bats. In addition, interviewed household heads and individuals with CL consider CL has no any treatment and they did not go to local health organization to seek treatment.

Conclusion: prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Aleku areas was 6.98% which were relatively less compared to study conducted in the area in 1969. Although CL in Aleku areas was reported 50 years ago, Knowledge of local community on transmission, control   and treatment of CL was low.  Awareness of community on transmission of CL, control of the disease and treatments of active cases should be implemented in Aleku areas of  Kellem wollega.

Key words: Active lesion /Cutaneous Leismaniasis/ community based study