Podoconiosis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) characterized by lower-leg swelling\n(lymphedema), which is caused by long-term exposure to irritant red-clay soils found within tropical\nvolcanic high-altitude environments with heavy rainfall. The condition places a substantial burden\non affected people, their families and communities, including disability, economic consequences,\nsocial exclusion, and stigma; mental disorders and distress are also common. This paper focuses on\ncommunity-based care of podoconiosis, and, in particular, the role that community involvement can\nhave in the reduction of stigma against people affected by podoconiosis. We first draw on research\nconducted in Ethiopia for this, which has included community-based provision of care and treatment,\neducation, and awareness-raising, and socioeconomic rehabilitation to reduce stigma. Since people\naffected by podoconiosis and other skin NTDs often suffer the double burden of mental-health illness,\nwhich is similarly stigmatized, we then point to examples from the mental-health field in low-resource\ncommunity settings to suggest avenues for stigma reduction and increased patient engagement that\nmay be relevant across a range of skin NTDs, though further research is needed on this.
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