SOCIAL – ECONOMIC CHALLENGES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY PODOCONIOSIS: THE CASE OF WAYU TUKA WOREDA, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Podoconiosis is a chronic health problem that has significantly devastated the health, social, economic and empowerment of people who are living disease in Ethiopia. The study participants have vividly elucidated the challenges they experienced. The study has employed mixed research approaches of quantitative and qualitative. Seventy respondents involved in the study which constituted 77.8% of the selected sample population. Diverse research tools interview, observation, focus group discussion and document analysis were employed in the study. Low level of awareness & education of the community, stigmatization prevalence in the area and non support of the government in terms of policy, finance and materials were the outcomes of the study. The researcher also recommends further in-depth study in empowerment of people affected by podoconiosis.