tropicalmed-03-00087 final.pdf (210.19 kB)
Community involvement in the care of persons affected by podoconiosis - a lesson for other skin NTDs
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:04 authored by Abebayehu Tora, Asrat Mengiste, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Maya SemrauMaya SemrauPodoconiosis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) characterized by lower-leg swelling (lymphedema), which is caused by long-term exposure to irritant red-clay soils found within tropical volcanic high-altitude environments with heavy rainfall. The condition places a substantial burden on affected people, their families and communities, including disability, economic consequences, social exclusion, and stigma; mental disorders and distress are also common. This paper focuses on community-based care of podoconiosis, and, in particular, the role that community involvement can have in the reduction of stigma against people affected by podoconiosis. We first draw on research conducted in Ethiopia for this, which has included community-based provision of care and treatment, education, and awareness-raising, and socioeconomic rehabilitation to reduce stigma. Since people affected by podoconiosis and other skin NTDs often suffer the double burden of mental-health illness, which is similarly stigmatized, we then point to examples from the mental-health field in low-resource community settings to suggest avenues for stigma reduction and increased patient engagement that may be relevant across a range of skin NTDs, though further research is needed on this.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Tropical Medicine and Infectious DiseaseISSN
2414-6366Publisher
MDPIExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
3Page range
87 1-8Department affiliated with
- Global Health and Infection Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Wellcome Trust Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research Publications
- Centre for Global Health Policy Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-09-13First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-09-13First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-09-13Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC