‘We no longer experience the same pain’: a cross-sectional study assessing the impact of Heart and Sole Africa's podoconiosis prevention education program

Author:

Gebreselassie Agazi Fitsum1ORCID,Shimelash Natnael2,Kallon Ahamed1,Mkondo George1,Huston Tonya3,Schurer Janna M14

Affiliation:

1. Center for One Health, University of Global Health Equity , Butaro , Rwanda

2. Simulation Center, University of Global Health Equity , Butaro , Rwanda

3. Hill Country Memorial Physician Practice , Texas , USA

4. Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University , North Grafton , USA

Abstract

Abstract Background Podoconiosis is a non-infectious neglected tropical disease caused by long-term exposure to irritant volcanic soils. It results in severe physical, psychological and financial consequences. Heart and Sole Africa (HASA) is a non-governmental, community-based organization providing management to podoconiosis patients in Rwanda. We sought to analyze the impact of their program on the lives of patients. Methods Quantitative surveys recorded the participants’ demographics, adherence to HASA's management recommendations and changes in quality of life (QOL). Qualitative questions were used to gather respondent perspectives on HASA programming. Results We interviewed 127 patients from HASA's Musanze (n=47) and Burera (n=80) clinics. Almost all participants (98.4%) reported statistically significant (p<0.01) improvements in their QOL, and more than one-half (51.2%) had a favorable adherence score of >80%. Qualitative feedback identified specific challenges to adherence and recognition of program success in symptom management. Conclusions Our study demonstrated the value of community-based podoconiosis programming in improving the lives of patients. Practices such as regular feet washing, emollient application, shoe wearing and limb raising can result in a marked reduction of morbidity. Our findings support the argument for scaling up these management practices across Rwanda.

Funder

University of Global Health Equity

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Reference30 articles.

1. With bare feet in the soil: podoconiosis, a neglected cause of tropical lymphoedema;Chandler;Dermatology,2021

2. Epidemiology and individual, household and geographical risk factors of podoconiosis in Ethiopia: results from the first nationwide mapping;Deribe;Am J Trop Med Hyg,2015

3. Podoconiosis: non-infectious geochemical elephantiasis;Davey;Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg,2007

4. Global epidemiology of podoconiosis: a systematic review;Deribe;PLoS Negl Trop Dis,2018

5. Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: from neglect to priority public health problem;Deribe;Ethiop Med J,2017

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3