Spatial distribution of podoconiosis in relation to environmental factors in Ethiopia: a historical review

BACKGROUND An up-to-date and reliable map of podoconiosis is needed to design geographically targeted and cost-effective intervention in Ethiopia. Identifying the ecological correlates of the distribution of podoconiosis is the first step for distribution and risk maps. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution and ecological correlates of podoconiosis using historical and contemporary survey data. METHODS Data on the observed prevalence of podoconiosis were abstracted from published and unpublished literature into a standardized database, according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 10 studies conducted between 1969 and 2012 were included, and data were available for 401,674 individuals older than 15 years of age from 229 locations. A range of high resolution environmental factors were investigated to determine their association with podoconiosis prevalence, using logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of podoconiosis in Ethiopia was estimated at 3.4% (95% CI 3.3%-3.4%) with marked regional variation. We identified significant associations between mean annual Land Surface Temperature (LST), mean annual precipitation, topography of the land and fine soil texture and high prevalence of podoconiosis. The derived maps indicate both widespread occurrence of podoconiosis and a marked variability in prevalence of podoconiosis, with prevalence typically highest at altitudes >1500 m above sea level (masl), with >1500 mm annual rainfall and mean annual LST of 19-21°C. No (or very little) podoconiosis occurred at altitudes 24°C. CONCLUSION Podoconiosis remains a public health problem in Ethiopia over considerable areas of the country, but exhibits marked geographical variation associated in part with key environmental factors. This is work in progress and the results presented here will be refined in future work

Knowledge, attitude and practices related to diabetes among community members in four provinces in Kenya: a cross-sectional study

Background: This cross-sectional study sought to establish the level of knowledge of diabetes among community members in rural and urban setups in Kenya and determine how this impacts on their attitude and practices towards diabetes. Methods: A face-to-face interview was done for selected respondents using a structured questionnaire for data collection. Results: 1982 respondents, 1151 (58.1%) female and 831 (41.9%) males aged between 13 and 65 years were interviewed. 539 (27.2%) of all the respondents had good knowledge of diabetes; of these 52% had tertiary education; 25% had secondary education while 14% and 9% had primary and no education, respectively. Only 971(49%) of the respondents had a positive attitude towards diabetes while 813 (41%) demonstrated good practices towards diabetes. Conclusion: This study indicates that the level of knowledge of diabetes in all regions in the country is very poor. It also indicates very poor attitudes and practices of the community towards diabetes. A comprehensive nationwide diabetes education programme is necessary to improve this situation

Ecological Knowledge of indigenous plants among the Marakwet Community (Embobut Basin), Elgeyo Marakwet County (Kenya)

Background: This work aims to the valorization of resources in the provinces of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, particularly aromatic and medicinal plants, and to the collection and documentation of the new ethno-medico-botanical information concerning the traditional use of these medicinal plants against chronic disease. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region with traditional herbalists, on one hand, and with subjects suffering from chronic diseases on the other hand, during 5 months from February to June 2019. Data were collected thanks to 581 questionnaire cards based on semi-structured interviews. Relative Citation Frequency (RFC), Family Importance Value (FIV), Plant Part Value (PPV), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were used in ethnobotanical data analysis. Results: A total of 79 medicinal and aromatic plant species were identified, belonging to 74 genera and 39 botanical families, of which Lamiaceae (FIV=0.038) and Asteraceae (FIV=0.015) were the most frequently represented. The most cited plant species were Nigella sativa (RFC=0.12), and Origanum compactum (RFC= 0.091). Leaves represent the most used plants part with PPV=0.246 and decoction was the major preparation model of remedies (37.7%). Concerning treated diseases, chronic kidney disease has the highest ICF (0.93). Furthermore, 18 cases of side effects related to the use of medicinal species such as Aristolochia longa and Peganum harmala were recorded. Conclusion: In light of this work, the population recognizes the effectiveness of medicinal plants in the treatment of chronic diseases, but their use will have to go through extensive phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological research in order to clarify their effectiveness and innocuousness