Background: North West Ethiopia accounts for 60% of the national burden of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Besides, migrant and seasonal farm workers are the most risky groups in the area. Good knowledge and attitude on VL is a precursor for a successful control of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine knowledge and attitude towards VL and its associated factors among migrant and seasonal farm workers in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: Institution based crossectional study was conducted from October to November, 2018 in Metema and West Armachiho districts. Two stage cluster sampling was used to select 950 participants. Binary logistic regression model was fitted and variable having p-value<0.05 were considered to have significant association with the outcome. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as a measure of association.

Results: Of the total participants, 33.2% (95%CI: 30.2, 36.2) and 30.2% (95%CI: 27.4, 33.2) had good knowledge and favorable attitude towards VL, respectively. Both good knowledge and favorable attitude were associated with having health information and previous history of VL (AOR=3.2, 95%CI: 2.33, 4.44), and (AOR= 6.83, 95%CI: 3.65, 12.77) for knowledge, respectively and (AOR= 2.77, 95%CI:  1.97, 3.90) and (AOR= 2.30, 95%CI: 1.29, 4.10) for attitude, respectively.  Moreover, favorable attitude was associated with good knowledge (AOR= 2.39, 95%CI: 1.74, 3.27).

Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude of migrants and seasonal farm workers towards VL were low. Having health information and previous history of VL had increased the odds of both knowledge and attitude. It is very important to give health education using health extension workers, posters and mass Medias like radio. It is also recommended to take the opportunity of migrant farm workers with previous history of VL to act as health agents in their camp.

Key words: VL, migrants and seasonal farm workers, northwest Ethiopia