Center for One Health, University of Global Health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda.
Simulation Center, University of Global Health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Aug 5;118(8):520-526. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trae007.
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.
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.
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.
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.
疣状足是一种由长期接触刺激性火山土壤引起的非传染性被忽视的热带病。它会导致严重的身体、心理和经济后果。非洲心脏与足（HASA）是一个非政府的、以社区为基础的组织，为卢旺达的疣状足患者提供管理。我们试图分析他们的项目对患者生活的影响。
定量调查记录了参与者的人口统计学资料、对 HASA 管理建议的依从性以及生活质量（QOL）的变化。定性问题用于收集受访者对 HASA 编程的看法。
我们采访了来自 HASA 的穆桑泽（n=47）和布鲁拉（n=80）诊所的 127 名患者。几乎所有参与者（98.4%）报告 QOL 有统计学意义的改善（p<0.01），超过一半（51.2%）的依从性评分>80%。定性反馈确定了对依从性的具体挑战，并认识到在症状管理方面的项目成功。
我们的研究表明，以社区为基础的疣状足规划在改善患者生活方面具有价值。定期洗脚、涂抹润肤剂、穿鞋和抬高肢体等做法可显著降低发病率。我们的发现支持在卢旺达扩大这些管理做法的论点。
