Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND:Podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) is a chronic, non-infectious disease resulting from exposure of bare feet to red-clay soil in tropical highlands. This study examined lay beliefs about three under-researched aspects of podoconiosis patients' care: explanatory models,...

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Main Authors: Harrison S Banks, Girmay Tsegay, Moges Wubie, Abreham Tamiru, Gail Davey, Max Cooper
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2016-08-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4990189?pdf=render
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spelling doaj-8a98188574f24e36a970c414b8ce00d12020-11-25T02:34:04ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352016-08-01108e000487810.1371/journal.pntd.0004878Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.Harrison S BanksGirmay TsegayMoges WubieAbreham TamiruGail DaveyMax CooperBACKGROUND:Podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) is a chronic, non-infectious disease resulting from exposure of bare feet to red-clay soil in tropical highlands. This study examined lay beliefs about three under-researched aspects of podoconiosis patients' care: explanatory models, health-seeking behaviours and self-care. METHODS:In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were undertaken with 34 participants (19 male, 15 female) between April-May 2015 at podoconiosis treatment centres across East and West Gojjam regions in north-west Ethiopia. RESULTS:Explanatory models for podoconiosis included contamination from blood, magic, soil or affected individuals. Belief in heredity or divine punishment often delayed clinic attendance. All participants had tried holy water treatment and some, holy soil. Herbal treatments were considered ineffectual, costly and appeared to promote fluid escape. Motivators for clinic attendance were failure of traditional treatments and severe or disabling symptoms. Patients did not report self-treatment with antibiotics. Self-care was hindered by water being unavailable or expensive and patient fatigue. CONCLUSION:A pluralistic approach to podoconiosis self-treatment was discovered. Holy water is widely valued, though some patients prefer holy soil. Priests and traditional healers could help promote self-care and "signpost" patients to clinics. Change in behaviour and improving water access is key to self-care.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4990189?pdf=render
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Harrison S Banks
Girmay Tsegay
Moges Wubie
Abreham Tamiru
Gail Davey
Max Cooper
spellingShingle Harrison S Banks
Girmay Tsegay
Moges Wubie
Abreham Tamiru
Gail Davey
Max Cooper
Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
author_facet Harrison S Banks
Girmay Tsegay
Moges Wubie
Abreham Tamiru
Gail Davey
Max Cooper
author_sort Harrison S Banks
title Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.
title_short Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.
title_full Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.
title_fullStr Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.
title_full_unstemmed Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia.
title_sort using qualitative methods to explore lay explanatory models, health-seeking behaviours and self-care practices of podoconiosis patients in north-west ethiopia.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
issn 1935-2727
1935-2735
publishDate 2016-08-01
description BACKGROUND:Podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) is a chronic, non-infectious disease resulting from exposure of bare feet to red-clay soil in tropical highlands. This study examined lay beliefs about three under-researched aspects of podoconiosis patients' care: explanatory models, health-seeking behaviours and self-care. METHODS:In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were undertaken with 34 participants (19 male, 15 female) between April-May 2015 at podoconiosis treatment centres across East and West Gojjam regions in north-west Ethiopia. RESULTS:Explanatory models for podoconiosis included contamination from blood, magic, soil or affected individuals. Belief in heredity or divine punishment often delayed clinic attendance. All participants had tried holy water treatment and some, holy soil. Herbal treatments were considered ineffectual, costly and appeared to promote fluid escape. Motivators for clinic attendance were failure of traditional treatments and severe or disabling symptoms. Patients did not report self-treatment with antibiotics. Self-care was hindered by water being unavailable or expensive and patient fatigue. CONCLUSION:A pluralistic approach to podoconiosis self-treatment was discovered. Holy water is widely valued, though some patients prefer holy soil. Priests and traditional healers could help promote self-care and "signpost" patients to clinics. Change in behaviour and improving water access is key to self-care.
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4990189?pdf=render
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