Mersha Kinfe*, Maya Semrau, Asrat Mengiste, Oumer Ali, Ajeme Tesfaye, Stephen A Bremner, Natalia Hounsome, Vasso Anagnostopoulou, Brewster M, Lawrence Rugema, Eiman Siddig Ahmed, Agumasie Semahegn, Abebaw Fekadu and Gail Davey
Introduction: The intense effect impact of wounds on the quality of life of those affected is often underestimated. Chronic wounds impose substantial burdens on individuals and communities in terms of disability, mental distress, stigma, and economic productivity losses. To effectively address these challenges, an integrated and comprehensive approach to primary health care based chronic wound care prevention and management is essential. This implementation research study aims to assess the integration and scale-up of a comprehensive package of primary healthcare-based wound care and psycho-social support for persons affected by chronic wounds caused by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and other conditions in selected districts in Ethiopia.
Methods: The study will be implemented in central Ethiopia in three stages, utilizing a mixed-methods approach to co-develop a comprehensive care package and progressively implement the care package building on learnings from successive stages of implementation. Stage 1 will encompass the co-development of a holistic wound care package and strategies for its integration into routine health services. Stage 2 will involve a pilot study in one sub-district, to establish the care package adoption, feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, potential effectiveness, readiness for scale-up, and costs. Stage 3 will involve the scale-up of the wound care package and its evaluation in several districts.
Results and discussion: Ethics approval was obtained for the study from the relevant authorities in both the UK (Ref no: ER-BSMS9D79-6) and Ethiopia (Reference no.013/23/CDT). The results of the study will be disseminated through a variety of channels, including publications in scientific journals, conference presentations, policy briefs, and workshops. This will ensure that the findings are disseminated widely to the scientific community, policymakers, and the public.
Published Date: 2024-07-24; Received Date: 2024-06-24
