Podoconiosis
Enhanced self-care protocol for case management of severe lymphoedema
This study aims to determine if the addition of lymphatic stimulating activities to community-based home-care for lymphoedema can improve outcomes for people affecetd by moderate to late stage disease.
The Global Atlas of Podoconiosis
Through funding from the Wellcome Trust to develop a global atlas of podoconiosis. We aim to advance new knowledge on the geographical distribution and spatial epidemiology of the disease.
i. Conduct national cross-sectional surveys in selected countries to validate the environmental predictive model developed using the mapping data in Ethiopia.
ii. Create evidence consensus maps, develop risk maps and ground-truthing work and delineate the spatial distribution and geographical limits of podoconiosis globally.
iii. Estimate the global burden of podoconiosis by quantifying the number affected, the population at risk and DALYs attributable.
iv. Estimate how much it will cost to control or eliminate podoconiosis globally.
Immunopathogenesis studies in podoconiosis
What is the immune pathogenesis of podoconiosis?
Identification of endemic plants with potential for lymphoedema treatment.
Do endemic Ethiopian plant extracts have potential for use in lymphoedema management?
Development of a diagnostic device for podoconiosis
Can bioielectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) identify patients with podoconiosis lymphoedema?
Integration and scale up of community-based holistic care package for people with lymphoedema in Ethiopia
What are the key elements that constitute optimal physical and psychosocial care for lymphoedema of many causes?
How (and to what extent) does integration of the lymphoedema intervention occur in the different ‘functions’ of the health system? What are the critical factors that influence the process of integration?
Improving health workforce performance
Which strategies best strengthen strategic decision making for resilient and responsive health systems at the district level in Ghana, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania?
Linking communities and health systems
How to best support close-to-community providers in their critical interface role between health systems and communities
Research for stronger health systems post conflict
What are the best approaches to develop sustainable and equitable approaches to human resources for health, health financing and governance in post conflict health systems?
Gender, equity, ethics & health systems
What are the most strategic approaches to building capacity for gender equity analysis in health systems?