Community based cross sectional study of podoconiosis and associated factors in Dano district, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundPodoconiosis, affects lower limb, is an entirely preventable non-communicable tropical disease common in low income countries. Globally it is estimated that there are 4 million peoples with podoconiosis and nationally it is estimated that there are 1.56 million cases of podoconiosis. Even though nationwide mapping has been conducted including the current district under investigation, there are no studies conducted to identify factors associated with podoconiosis in the district. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of podoconiosis and associated factors in the west Shewa of Dano district community.MethodA community based cross sectional study was conducted from March 1 to 26, 2018. Seven kebeles out of the total of twenty-three kebeles found in the district were selected randomly. The total sample size was allocated by probability proportional to size to each kebele based on the number of households they had. Then, systematic random sampling was employed to select 652 study participants from the seven kebeles. Data was collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaire and observation. In addition, a blood sample was collected from the study subjects who had leg swelling for ruling out lymphedema due to lymphatic filarasis by using Immunochromatographic test card. Podoconiosis case was defined as bilateral but asymmetric swelling which develop first in the foot often confined to the lower leg and negative result for immune-chromatographic test (ICT card). The prevalence of podoconiosis was determined and multiple logistic regression model was fitted using SPSS version 23 to identify factors associated with podoconiosis.ResultThe prevalence of podoconiosis in Dano district was found to be 6.3% (95%CI: 5.8, 6.8). Age at first shoe wearing (AOR = 1.08,95% CI = 1.06–1.11), washing practice of feet by water only (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.47–9.24) and not wearing shoe daily (AOR = 9.32, 95% CI = 4.27–20.4) were found to be significantly associated with increased odds of podoconiosis.ConclusionThis study revealed that there was significant burden of podoconiosis in the study area. Age at first shoe wearing, washing practice and frequency of shoe wearing were associated with the development of podoconiosis disease. Modalities to enhance the shoe wearing behaviour of the communities should be planned by high level decision makers working in the area of Health. Moreover, collaboration between local government and non-government stakeholders, and integration with existing programs addressing foot hygiene which involves washing feet with soap and water needs to be addressed.

Assessment of Etiology of Elephantiasis and Its Associated Risk Factors in Jeldu District, West Shoa, Ethiopia

“…In the present study, of four stages of podoconiosis with characteristics of itchy swelling, shallow skin folds, and mossy lesion were identified by clinical nurses; stage II was the most common, followed by stage I, stage III, and stage IV, respectively. is agreed with nationwide study in Ethiopia [21,25] from Dano district, Central Ethiopia. e present study also shows that stage IV was absent in lower age and appeared at higher age (56-70) accompanied with secondary infection; furthermore, age groups and stages of lymphoedema have significant statistical association and agreed with an idea that incidence and severity of podoconiosis increase with age, likely due to cumulative exposure to irritant soil [24,26].…”

“…e present study identified that cases of podoconiosis were more in males than in females with male-to-female ratio of 1.9 : 1 which was in contrast to [23] in Wayu Tuka district, eastern Wollega, in which male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.58 and 0.98 : 1 in Gojjam, Northern Ethiopia [22]. e risk difference could be due to occupationally (agricultural) linked trauma to the feet (poor habit of wearing shoes) and the cumulative effect of long-term exposure to the soil of the area during farming [24,25]. Present finding also unfolds that more than half cases of podoconiosis were found in age [18].…”

Epidemiology and sex differences of podoconiosis in Ethiopia: A systemic review and meta-analysis

“…There was variability in reporting of female/male risks of developing podoconiosis. Some studies reported females are at greater risk of developing podoconiosis [ 24 , 27 ]; other indicated males were more affected [ 32 ]; still, others showed no sex differences [ 22 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 33 ]. Our systematic review revealed that being female increased the risk of developing podoconiosis.…”

Epidemiology of podoconiosis in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

“…A major and serious complication of podoconiosis is acute adenolymphangitis, which presents as a warm, painful sensation in the limbs, accompanied by fever 2. In addition to prolonged exposure to soil, many studies have shown that the prevalence of podoconiosis is associated with feet hygiene, shoe-wearing habit, gender, age, occupation, housing condition and income status 4–7…”

“…Podoconiosis is endemic in 345 districts of Ethiopia, the majority of cases being in Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ and Amhara regional states 16. In Ethiopia, studies have shown that podoconiosis is significantly associated with soil texture and land topography,17 washing practices and frequency of shoe-wearing,4 18 family history, and being barefoot 5. Although simple and effective treatment strategies are available in Ethiopia, patients with podoconiosis tend to discontinue their treatment.…”