Determinants of Podoconiosis, a Case Control Study

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Berhanu Elfu Feleke

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Podoconiosis is a non-filarial swelling of lowerextremity endemic in tropical regions, North America and India.The etiology and pathophysiology of the disease remain unknown.The objective of this study was to identify the determinants ofPodoconiosis.METHODS: Unmatched case control study design was conducted.The sample size was calculated using Epi-info soft ware: 95% CI,85% power, control to case ratio of 2:1, expected frequency ofbarefoot among controls 50%, odds ratio of 1.5 and non-responserate of 10% yielding 1148 study participants. Binary logisticregression was used to identify the determinants of Podoconiosis.RESULTS: A total of 1113 study participants (379 cases and 734controls) were included giving for a response rate of 96.95%.Positive family history (AOR, 2.81 [95% CI: 1.7-4.64]), bare foot(AOR, 3.26 [95% CI: 2.03-5.25]), poor foot hygiene (AOR, 2.68 [95CI: 1.72 - 4.19]) increase the risk of Podoconiosis. Female gender(AOR, 0.26 [95% CI: 0.15-0.44]), good housing condition (AOR,0.17 [95% CI: 0.1-0.3]), medium income (AOR, 0.12 [95 % CI:0.07- 0.22]) and primary education (AOR, 0.02 [95% CI: 0.01-0.04]) decrease the risk of Podoconiosis.CONCLUSION: Podoconiosis control and prevention programmesshould involve the low income and uneducated populations.

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Original Article
Author Biography

Berhanu Elfu Feleke, University of Bahir Dar,Bahir Dar, Ethiopian

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics