Qualitative protocol to support detection of the early presentation and diagnosis of mycetoma in Sudan

Abstract

AbstractThe neglected tropical disease (NTD) mycetoma is a chronic and progressively destructive infectious disease endemic in Sudan. There is a growing body of scientific research on mycetoma -causes, transmission, treatment, and impact from a clinical and biomedical perspective. However, there is further need for in-depth medical anthropology research on the disease to successfully translate biomedical advances into elimination and control programmes. Given this background the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on NTDs at Brighton and Sussex Medical School is leading multidisciplinary research on skin NTDs, including mycetoma, with a medical anthropology research component exploring how community engagement can lead to earlier presentation of mycetoma in Sudan. This protocol paper sets out the research aims and approaches to generate new knowledge on mycetoma in Sudan once the political situation becomes stable and it is safe to carry out global health research once again. We continue to develop appropriate community engagement intervention strategies, while activities like training and capacity strengthening get underway remotely.