ArticleBMJ open2016
'Why should I worry, since I have healthy feet?' A qualitative study exploring barriers to use of footwear among rural community members in northern Ethiopia.
Article in BMJ open, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed.
- Lymphoedema management to prevent acute dermatolymphangioadenitis in podoconiosis in northern Ethiopia (GoLBeT): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.The Lancet. Global health · 2018Trial
- Paddy Farmers' Perspectives on Foot Care, their Modalities for Prevention of Foot Injuries- A Community-based Qualitative Study.Indian journal of community medicine : official publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine · 2026Article
- "I called people to carry me to the latrine": Podoconiosis patients' access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in Butaro, Rwanda.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Article
- Making space for happenstance: a proposal for a different 'Theory of Change' to help understand and guide NTD policymaking practices.International journal for equity in health · 2026Article
- Contextual aspects of implementing an intervention to mitigate podoconiosis-related stigma in Musanze district, Rwanda.International journal for equity in health · 2026Article
- Women's participation in a disease management intervention for podoconiosis in northern Rwanda: understanding the context of women's lives.International journal for equity in health · 2026Article
- "My feet are no longer swollen": Testing a co-designed podoconiosis protective footwear among rural female farmers in Rwanda.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Exploring barriers to access and use of limb prostheses and orthoses in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.African journal of disability · 2026Review
- Hematological and immunological profiles of podoconiosis patients in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Article
- "We all think boots are meant for men": A community-based participatory assessment of rural women's barriers to preventing podoconiosis in Rwanda.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- Addressing neglected tropical diseases in Africa: A gender perspective.Health science reports · 2023Article
- Subcutaneous mycoses: Endemic but neglected among the Neglected Tropical Diseases in Ethiopia.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2023Article
- Burden of neglected tropical diseases and access to medicine and diagnostics in Ethiopia: a scoping review.Systematic reviews · 2023Article
- Article
- Stakeholder perspectives on an integrated package of care for lower limb disorders caused by podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis or leprosy: A qualitative study.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2022Article
- The extent of protective footwear use among school-age rural children at high risk for podoconiosis and socio-economic correlates: A household cross-sectional survey in Southern Ethiopia.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2021Article
- Gender-related factors affecting health seeking for neglected tropical diseases: findings from a qualitative study in Ethiopia.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2019Article
- Health beliefs of school-age rural children in podoconiosis-affected families: A qualitative study in Southern Ethiopia.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2017Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo explore the influence of personal, cultural and socioeconomic factors related to footwear use and non-use in northern Ethiopia.
designA qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews. Data were collected using semistructured interview guides.
settingThe study was conducted in East and West Gojjam Zones, Amhara region, northwest Ethiopia.
participantsA total of 91 individuals from 4 target groups participated in individual and group interviews: (1) non-affected community leaders including Idir (a form of social insurance) leaders, school principals, kebele (the lowest administrative unit) officials, health professionals, teachers, merchants and religious leaders; (2) affected men and women; (3) non-affected men and women not in leadership positions; and (4) school children (both male and female).
resultsParticipants perceived a range of health benefits from donning footwear, including protection against injury and cold. Various types of shoes are available within the community, and their use varied depending on the nature of activities and the season. Personal and socioeconomic barriers hindered the desire to consistently use footwear. Widely established barefoot traditions and beliefs that footwear is uncomfortable, heavy and may weaken the feet have made the regular use of footwear uncommon. Economic constraints were also mentioned as hindering ownership and use of footwear. Distance from places where shoes could be bought also contributed to limited access. Cultural influences promoting gender inequality resulted in women being least able to access shoes.
conclusionsWe identified several individual, cultural and socioeconomic barriers that influence individuals' decisions about and use of footwear in rural northern Ethiopia. Promoting education on the health benefits of footwear, curbing podoconiosis-related misconceptions and integrating these with economic empowerment programmes, may all improve the use of footwear.
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