ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2015
Mapping and Modelling the Geographical Distribution and Environmental Limits of Podoconiosis in Ethiopia.
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 55 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
55 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 78 citations in OpenAlex.
- Associations between podoconiosis and pedogenic factors globally - A systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2025Pooled it
- Global epidemiology of podoconiosis: A systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2018Pooled it
- Prioritization of neglected tropical zoonotic diseases: A one health perspective from Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia.PloS one · 2021Trial
- Lymphoedema management to prevent acute dermatolymphangioadenitis in podoconiosis in northern Ethiopia (GoLBeT): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.The Lancet. Global health · 2018Trial
- Trial
- Potential of machine learning for prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases: a scoping review.Communications medicine · 2026Article
- The role of NGOs in mainstreaming services for podoconiosis into healthcare facilities: the case of two NGOs in Ethiopia.International journal for equity in health · 2025Article
- Determinants of podoconiosis at the age of 15 years and above at Dera Woreda, South Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Prevalence of Malaria Among Individuals Living With Lymphedema in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda.Cureus · 2025Article
- Current perspectives in the epidemiology and control of lymphatic filariasis.Clinical microbiology reviews · 2025Review
- Article
- Genetic, Immunological, and Public Health Perspectives on Podoconiosis.Journal of tropical medicine · 2025Review
- Confirming non-endemicity of podoconiosis in Guatemala and in Idukki District in Kerala (India): a comparison of two approaches potentially suitable for other neglected tropical diseases.BMC global and public health · 2024Article
- Mapping lymphatic filariasis morbidities in 24 endemic districts of Ethiopia through the health extension program.Tropical medicine and health · 2024Article
- Improving health behaviours and attitudes around podoconiosis in Northern Western Ethiopia: Implementation and intervention effectiveness.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Article
- Article
- Understanding transmission risk and predicting environmental suitability for Mayaro Virus in Central and South America.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Article
- Article
- A geochemical and mineralogical characterization of soils associated with podoconiosis.Environmental geochemistry and health · 2023Article
- Burden of neglected tropical diseases and access to medicine and diagnostics in Ethiopia: a scoping review.Systematic reviews · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
19 authors at 10 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundEthiopia is assumed to have the highest burden of podoconiosis globally, but the geographical distribution and environmental limits and correlates are yet to be fully investigated. In this paper we use data from a nationwide survey to address these issues. METHODOLOGY: Our analyses are based on data arising from the integrated mapping of podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) conducted in 2013, supplemented by data from an earlier mapping of LF in western Ethiopia in 2008-2010. The integrated mapping used woreda (district) health offices' reports of podoconiosis and LF to guide selection of survey sites. A suite of environmental and climatic data and boosted regression tree (BRT) modelling was used to investigate environmental limits and predict the probability of podoconiosis occurrence. PRINCIPAL
findingsData were available for 141,238 individuals from 1,442 communities in 775 districts from all nine regional states and two city administrations of Ethiopia. In 41.9% of surveyed districts no cases of podoconiosis were identified, with all districts in Affar, Dire Dawa, Somali and Gambella regional states lacking the disease. The disease was most common, with lymphoedema positivity rate exceeding 5%, in the central highlands of Ethiopia, in Amhara, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples regional states. BRT modelling indicated that the probability of podoconiosis occurrence increased with increasing altitude, precipitation and silt fraction of soil and decreased with population density and clay content. Based on the BRT model, we estimate that in 2010, 34.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.2-51.7) million people (i.e. 43.8%; 95% CI: 25.3-64.8% of Ethiopia's national population) lived in areas environmentally suitable for the occurrence of podoconiosis.
conclusionsPodoconiosis is more widespread in Ethiopia than previously estimated, but occurs in distinct geographical regions that are tied to identifiable environmental factors. The resultant maps can be used to guide programme planning and implementation and estimate disease burden in Ethiopia. This work provides a framework with which the geographical limits of podoconiosis could be delineated at a continental scale.
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