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Community-based survey of podoconiosis in Bedele Zuria woreda, west Ethiopia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 17:01 authored by Fasil Tekola Ayele, Getahun Alemu, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Christel AhrensBACKGROUND Podoconiosis is a neglected tropical disease resulting in progressive bilateral swelling of the lower legs in barefoot individuals exposed to red-clay soil derived from volcanic rocks. It is a considerable public health problem in countries across tropical Africa, Central America and northern India. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical features of podoconiosis, and patients' experience of disease prevention and treatment, in Bedele Zuria woreda (district), west Ethiopia. METHODS The study was conducted during 2011 and involved a house-to-house survey in all 2285 households of five randomly selected rural kebeles (villages). RESULTS The prevalence of podoconiosis was 5.6% (379/6710) (95% CI 5.1-6.2%) and was significantly greater among women than men (6.6% vs 4.7%; p = 0.001). A total of 311 (16.9%) households had at least one member with podoconiosis, and 128 (33.8%) study participants reported having a blood relative with podoconiosis. Two hundred and forty-three (76.4%) podoconiosis patients were in the economically productive age group of 15-64 years. On average, a patient experienced at least six episodes of adenolymphangitis per year resulting in a loss of 25 working days per year. CONCLUSION This study has revealed a high burden of podoconiosis in west Ethiopia, and suggests that disease prevention and treatment programmes are needed.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
International healthISSN
1876-3413Publisher
Oxford University PressExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
5Page range
119-125Department affiliated with
- Global Health and Infection Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes