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Predicting the environmental suitability and population at risk of podoconiosis in Africa

Version 2 2023-06-07, 08:53
Version 1 2023-06-07, 07:37
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 08:53 authored by Kebede Kassaye, Hope Simpson, Rachel L Pullan, Mbonigaba Jean Bosco, Samuel Wanji, Nicole Davis Weaver, Christopher J L Murray, Melanie NewportMelanie Newport, Simon I Hay, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Jorge Cano
Podoconiosis is a type of tropical lymphedema that causes massive swelling of the lower limbs. The disease is associated with both economic insecurity, due to long-term morbidity-related loss of productivity, and intense social stigma. The geographical distribution and burden of podoconiosis in Africa are uncertain. We applied statistical modelling to the most comprehensive database compiled to date to predict the environmental suitability of podoconiosis in the African continent. By combining climate and environmental data and overlaying population figures, we predicted the environmental suitability and human population at risk of podoconiosis in Africa. Environmental suitability for podoconiosis was predicted in 29 African countries. In the year 2020, the total population in areas suitable for podoconiosis is estimated at 114.5 million people, (95% uncertainty interval: 109.4–123.9) with 16.9 million in areas suitable for both lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis. Of the total 5,712 implementation units (typically second administrative-level units, such as districts) defined by the World Health Organization in Africa, 1,655 (29.0%) were found to be environmentally suitable for podoconiosis. The majority of implementation units with high environmental suitability are located in Angola (80, 4.8%), Cameroon (170, 10.3%), the DRC (244, 14.7%), Ethiopia (495, 29.9%), Kenya (217, 13.1%), Uganda (116, 7.0%) and Tanzania (112, 6.8%). Of the 1,655 environmentally suitable implementation units, 960 (58.0%) require more detailed community-level mapping. Our estimates provide key evidence of the population at risk and geographical extent of podoconiosis in Africa, which will help decision-makers to better plan more integrated intervention programmes.

Funding

WT Intermediate Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine; G1974; WELLCOME TRUST; 201900/Z/16/Z

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

ISSN

1935-2727

Publisher

Public Library of Science

Issue

8

Volume

14

Article number

a0008616

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-07-27

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-09-01

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-07-24

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