EVENT: First International Podoconiosis Conference
THEME: Research to Implementation: A Call for Global Action
DATE: September 23, 2018
VENUE: Intercontinental Addis Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Footwork)–The First International Podoconiosis Conference will take place on Sunday 23rd September, 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Brighton & Sussex Centre for Global Health Research and Footwork have collaborated with local NGO and University partners and the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health to host this conference.
As the country bearing the highest burden of podoconiosis globally as well as the one with the most advanced research and implementation, Ethiopia is the ideal setting for this conference.
The theme for this event is ‘Research to Implementation: A Call for Global Action’. The International Podoconiosis Initiative (“Footwork”) is calling for abstracts from all those involved in podoconiosis research and implementation. The conference program will include two sessions of research presentations, one of implementation presentations, and a poster display area.
The conference will be held at the Intercontinental Addis Hotel, in Addis Ababa. Accommodation is available there and at a number of other hotels within easy walking distance.
The First International Podoconiosis Conference has been timed to precede the Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network (NNN) conference, and the two conferences will be united through a joint Welcome Reception on Sunday evening.
First International Podoconiosis Conference
- Conference program:
- Full conference booklet
- Travel & accommodation, visa information, etc. click here
What is Podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis)?
Podoconiosis is a type of tropical lymphoedema clinically distinguished from lymphatic filariasis (LF) through being ascending and commonly bilateral but asymmetric. Evidence suggests that podoconiosis is the result of a genetically determined abnormal inflammatory reaction to mineral particles in irritant red clay soils derived from volcanic deposits.
Podoconiosis is found in highland areas of tropical Africa, Central America and north-west India.
Population-based surveys suggest a prevalence of 5–10% in barefoot populations living on irritant soil. In Ethiopia, 1 million people are estimated to be affected, while in Cameroon, a further 500 000 people are estimated to be affected. The economic consequences are severe: productivity losses per patient amount to 45% of working days per year, thus economic losses to a country such as Ethiopia exceed US$ 200 million per year. Stigmatization of people with podoconiosis is pronounced; patients being excluded from school, local meetings, churches and mosques, and barred from marriage with unaffected individuals. Click here to read more about the disease.