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Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: from neglect to priority public health problem

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posted on 2023-06-09, 07:48 authored by Kebede Kassaye, Biruck Kebede, Belete Mengistu, Henok Negussie, Mesfin Sileshi, Mossie Tamiru, Sara Tomezyk, Fasil Tekola-Ayele, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Amha Fentaye
Podoconiosis is a geochemical disease occurring in individuals exposed to red clay soil of volcanic origin. This Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) is highly prevalent in Ethiopia. According to the nationwide mapping in 2013, the disease is endemic in 345 districts, where an estimated 35 million people live. The government of Ethiopia prioritized podoconiosis as one of eight priority NTDs and included it in the national integrated master plan for NTDs. An integrated lymphoedema management guideline has been developed. Service expansion has continued in the last few years and lymphoedema management services have been expanded to over one hundred endemic districts. The last few years have been critical in generating evidence about the distribution, burden and effective interventions for podoconiosis in Ethiopia. Although the extent of the problem within Ethiopia is considerable, the country is well positioned to now scale-up elimination efforts. Given the extraordinary progress of the past ten years and the current commitment of government, private and third sectors, Ethiopia seems to be on course for the elimination of podoconiosis in our lifetime. We need continued strong partner commitment, evidence-building, and scale-up of activities to accomplish this.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Ethiopian Medical Journal

ISSN

0014-1755

Publisher

Ethiopian Medical Association

Volume

55

Page range

65-74

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Wellcome Trust Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-09-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-11-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-09-06

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