Abstract:
Background: Podoconiosis is neglected tropical diseases of foot; that affects barefooted
subsistence farmers who have long term exposure for irritant red soils. Since Podoconiosis is
neglected tropical diseases of foot, studies on determinants of Podoconiosis were scarce in
Ethiopia, especially in study area and this study was tried to assess those factors determine
podoconiosis.
Objective:This study was aimed to identify determinants of Podoconiosis among adult
population living in rural Elugelan district, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024
Methods:A community based unmatched case control study designwas conducted in rural parts
of randomly selected Elugelan district kebeles on 324 (108 cases and 216 controls)& interviewed
by structured questionnaires. The data were collected by four B.Sc. nurses trained podoconiosis
diagnosis and cleaned by cross checking any missing value from the hard copy and entered to
Epi data version 3.1 & analyzed by SPSS version 26. Binary & multivariable logistic regression
analyses were done to identify factors associated with Podoconiosis. Then significance of
association was tested using 95% CI and P - values (< 0.05).
Result: The response rate was 92.28%, from which58(33%) of cases and, 118(67%) controls
were male. In case of their age, 29(33%) cases and, 59(67%) controls were 25- 34years old.By
adjusting for other factors, Poor housing conditions (AOR=3.14, 95% CI: 1.77, 5.59), frequency
of feet washing (AOR= 2.64, 95% CI: 1.46, 4.75), use of soap for feet washing (AOR=2.82, 95%
CI: 2.10, 7.00), and never walk bare foot (AOR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.19) were statistically
significantly associated with podoconiosis.
Conclusions:Poor housing condition, frequency of foot hygiene, use of soap, bare footed and
never walk bare footed were the major factors that determine podoconiosis in this study area (Elu
Gelan district, west Shoa Zone).Local governmentshould plan strategies on awareness creation
and comprehensive health education on regular foot washing and shoes wearing. People also
should be encouraged to improve their housing conditions by covering the floor structure.
