Department of Medical Anatomy, Arba Minch University, Southern Ethiopia, Ethiopia.
Collaborative Research and Training Center for Neglected Tropical Disease, Arba Minch University, Southern Ethiopia, Ethiopia.
J Foot Ankle Res. 2022 Feb 10;15(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s13047-022-00517-8.
Podoconiosis is a chronic non-infectious preventable disease. Though not fatal, it may cause social, economic and physical disability. Ethiopia is projected to bear one-fourth (25%) of the global burden of podoconiosis. Despite its huge economic impact and chronic morbidity and disability, podoconiosis seems to be neglected. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of podoconiosis and its associated factors in Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia.
A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 683 household members. A multistage sampling method was used to select study participants. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with podoconiosis. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance; in multivariable analysis, variables with a P value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
The prevalence of podoconiosis was 6.2% (95%CI: 4.3-8%). The significantly contributed factors for the prevalence of podoconiosis were wealth index (AOR = 0.249, 95%CI = 0.073-0.845), number of shoes owned (AOR = 6.199, 95% CI = 1.281-29.98), times when individual do not wear shoes (AOR = 2.448, 95%CI = 1.041-5.754), soap utilization during foot washing (AOR = 2.773, 95%CI = 1.210-6.355) and family history of leg swelling (AOR = 4.69, 95%CI = 2.215-9.935).
This study showed that there was significant burden of podoconiosis in the study area. Wealth index, times when individual do not wear shoes, number of shoes owned, soap utilization during foot washing, and family history of leg swelling were significantly associated with podoconiosis. It is recommended to practice secondary prevention which includes regular foot hygiene and wearing shoes, and the use of antiseptic soaks.
疣状足是一种慢性、非传染性、可预防的疾病。尽管它不会致命，但可能会导致社会、经济和身体残疾。埃塞俄比亚预计将承担全球 25%的疣状足负担。尽管它对经济造成了巨大影响，并导致慢性发病和残疾，但似乎仍被忽视。因此，本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚南部嘎莫地区的疣状足患病率及其相关因素。
采用社区为基础的横断面研究，对 683 户家庭的成员进行调查。采用多阶段抽样方法选择研究对象。采用二元逻辑回归模型确定与疣状足相关的因素。计算比值比及其 95%置信区间以确定显著性水平；在多变量分析中，P 值小于 0.05 的变量被认为具有统计学意义。
疣状足的患病率为 6.2%（95%CI：4.3-8%）。对疣状足患病率有显著贡献的因素是财富指数（AOR=0.249，95%CI=0.073-0.845）、拥有的鞋子数量（AOR=6.199，95%CI=1.281-29.98）、个人不穿鞋的次数（AOR=2.448，95%CI=1.041-5.754）、洗脚时使用肥皂（AOR=2.773，95%CI=1.210-6.355）和腿部肿胀的家族史（AOR=4.69，95%CI=2.215-9.935）。
本研究表明，该研究地区存在显著的疣状足负担。财富指数、个人不穿鞋的次数、拥有的鞋子数量、洗脚时使用肥皂以及腿部肿胀的家族史与疣状足显著相关。建议采取二级预防措施，包括定期进行足部卫生和穿鞋，并使用防腐浸泡。
