Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Mar 11:trae007. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trae007. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Podoconiosis is a non-infectious neglected tropical disease caused by long-term exposure to irritant volcanic soils. It results in severe physical, psychological and financial consequences. Heart and Sole Africa (HASA) is a non-governmental, community-based organization providing management to podoconiosis patients in Rwanda. We sought to analyze the impact of their program on the lives of patients.
METHODS: Quantitative surveys recorded the participants’ demographics, adherence to HASA’s management recommendations and changes in quality of life (QOL). Qualitative questions were used to gather respondent perspectives on HASA programming.
RESULTS: We interviewed 127 patients from HASA’s Musanze (n=47) and Burera (n=80) clinics. Almost all participants (98.4%) reported statistically significant (p<0.01) improvements in their QOL, and more than one-half (51.2%) had a favorable adherence score of >80%. Qualitative feedback identified specific challenges to adherence and recognition of program success in symptom management.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the value of community-based podoconiosis programming in improving the lives of patients. Practices such as regular feet washing, emollient application, shoe wearing and limb raising can result in a marked reduction of morbidity. Our findings support the argument for scaling up these management practices across Rwanda.
PMID:38465481 | DOI:10.1093/trstmh/trae007
