With Bare Feet in the Soil: Podoconiosis, a Neglected Cause of Tropical Lymphoedema

Chandler, David; Grijsen, Marlous L.; Fuller, L.C.

doi:10.1159/000506045

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Podoconiosis is a neglected and complex health problem, involving medical, environmental and behavioral components and requires multidisciplinary collaboration for prevention and management [ 25 ]. Affected patients are mostly very poor farmers who live far from health centers, usually unable to work and very stigmatized by their communities, which sometimes lead to mental health problems [ 26 ]. Altogether, these factors instill self-stigma and lack of confidence among patients which eventually discourage them from seeking healthcare [ 1 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Podoconiosis in Rwanda: Knowledge, attitudes and practices among health professionals and environmental officers

et al. 2020

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Background Podoconiosis is a neglected tropical disease commonly found in volcanic regions, where soil is rich in silica. It usually manifests as bilateral lower limb edema. The majority of people affected by podoconiosis are farmers who do not wear shoes. The condition was recently documented in all 30 districts in Rwanda but knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Rwandan health professionals and environmental officers towards podoconiosis are unknown.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Podoconiosis in Rwanda: Knowledge, attitudes and practices among health professionals and environmental officers

et al. 2020

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“…Overall, Podoconiosis causes significant physical morbidity and devastating impact on mental health and quality of life and has catastrophic economic consequences for patients, families, and their community. Podoconiosis can be potentially eliminated, as the disease can be prevented by consistent use of footwear from early childhood, practicing proper foot hygiene, avoiding being barefoot in a farming area, accessing health services [ 15 ]. Even if Podoconiosis is preventable, different challenges deter prevention and treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnitude of Podoconiosis and Its Associated Factors among an Adult Population in Waghmra Zone, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Getie

Kitaw

Nigatu

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

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Background. Podoconiosis is one of the neglected tropical diseases, and it is a nonfilarial elephantiasis caused by prolonged barefoot exposure to irritant soil. This is manifested by slowly progressive swelling of the foot and lower leg which may lead to an irreversible disability among affected people. Podoconiosis is an entirely noncommunicable preventable disease with a low-cost preventive mechanism. This study is aimed at assessing the magnitude and factor affecting Podoconiosis in Waghmra zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 808 household members. A multistage sampling method was used to select study participants. A pretested semistructured questionnaire, observation, and clinical screening were used to collect data. The data were entered using EpiData version 4.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with Podoconiosis. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance; in multivariable analysis, variables with a P value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Result. According this study’s results, 4.3% of study participants were affected by Podoconiosis. A family number of four and above [AOR=3.29, 95% CI (1.013-10.661)], family income of less than 500 ETB [AOR=3.69, 95% CI (1.271-10.727)], distance from a health facility greater than 3 km [AOR=6.69, 95% CI (1.610-27.863)], no shoe wearing habits [AOR=5.02, 95% CI (1.969-12.778)], age at first wearing of shoes at 10 and above [AOR=4.46, 95% CI (1.792-11.102)], and no feet washing habits [AOR=3.87, 95% CI (1.516-9.883)] are significant factors of Podoconiosis. Conclusion. Creating awareness about the importance of shoe wearing, feet hygiene, and building infrastructure such as a road, health facility, and water supply were essential preventive strategies. Training about early diagnosis and effective management of lymphedema, giving emphasis on hygiene education and sanitation program, and reporting any suspected Podoconiosis case as early as possible are some of the recommendations forwarded.

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“…Podoconiosis is one of 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) [ 1 ]. It is a chronic, disfiguring, and non-infectious type of elephantiasis that predominantly affects individuals marginalized by poverty [ 2 ]. The disease is caused by prolonged contact with irritant clay soils and is one of the leading causes of tropical lymphedema related morbidity in low resource settings [ 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The disease is caused by prolonged contact with irritant clay soils and is one of the leading causes of tropical lymphedema related morbidity in low resource settings [ 3 ]. Early-stage disease is characterized by mild symptoms, such as itching and reversible swelling of the lower leg [ 2 , 4 ]. Later, acute dermato-lymphangio-adenitis (ADLA), fibrotic nodules and irreversible swelling arise [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Later, acute dermato-lymphangio-adenitis (ADLA), fibrotic nodules and irreversible swelling arise [ 5 ]. Barefoot subsistence farmers and genetically susceptible individuals living at high altitudes are more likely to contract the disease [ 2 ]. Consistent footwear use and regular washing with soap and water are simple low-cost measures that protect against podoconiosis [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Podoconiosis instruction at nursing schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda

et al. 2022

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Background Podoconiosis is a preventable, progressive, and non-infectious form of elephantiasis that can contribute to significant disability and economic burden when not treated early. Nurses play a critical role in early detection and response in rural Africa, but it is unclear if they receive adequate training on podoconiosis. We aimed to characterize podoconiosis instruction at all government accredited, post-secondary nursing institutions in three African countries. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study was collected through a quantitative survey with several open-answer questions. Through a rigorous online search, we identified all post-secondary institutions in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda accredited to teach human nursing. A total of 289 accredited programs, including 85 certificate, 56 degree and 148 diploma programs were invited to participate. Respondents completed surveys online or by telephone. Measures focused on podoconiosis knowledge, perceptions of quality/quantity of podoconiosis instruction, and barriers to sufficient podoconiosis education. Results We obtained information about 212 curricula across 149 nursing institutions in the three countries (participation rate: 73.4%). Podoconiosis coverage was limited across programs (certificate—24.1%; diploma—55.6%; degree—30.3%). Most respondents felt that the quality and quantity of instruction were insufficient (60.6%, 62.9%), respectively. Exclusion from government curricula, low priority and faculty lack of knowledge were commonly reported barriers to podoconiosis inclusion. Conclusions This study demonstrated clear gaps in podoconiosis training for nurses across the three countries and highlights a serious challenge in eliminating podoconiosis as a public health problem. Interventions to improve nurses’ knowledge could include the development and free distribution of podoconiosis teaching materials, designed for integration into pre-existing courses.

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With Bare Feet in the Soil: Podoconiosis, a Neglected Cause of Tropical Lymphoedema

Cited by 21 publications

References 75 publications

Podoconiosis in Rwanda: Knowledge, attitudes and practices among health professionals and environmental officers

Podoconiosis in Rwanda: Knowledge, attitudes and practices among health professionals and environmental officers

Magnitude of Podoconiosis and Its Associated Factors among an Adult Population in Waghmra Zone, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Podoconiosis instruction at nursing schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda

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