Severely stigmatised skin neglected tropical diseases: a protocol for social science engagement.

Shahaduz Zaman,James Fairhead,Tom Barker,Getnet Tadele,Gail Davey,Peter Mugume,Hayley Macgregor,Papreen Nahar,Jeannette Bayisenge,Anne Roemer-Mahler,Clare Callow,Natalia Hounsome,Ahmed Fahal

doi:10.1093/trstmh/traa141

Abstract

More than one billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and many of these diseases are preventable. While the grouping of these conditions as NTDs has generated vast mapping, mass drug administration and surveillance programmes, there is growing evidence of gaps and weaknesses in purely biomedical approaches, and the need for responses that also recognise the social determinants of health. In order to unpack the social and political determinants of NTDs, it is important to view the problem from a social science perspective. Given this background, the Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases (5S) Foundation has recently been established by the Centre for Global Health Research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The broad aim of the 5S Foundation is to incorporate social science perspectives in understanding and addressing the problems around three NTDs, namely, podoconiosis, mycetoma and scabies. This protocol paper sets out the aims and approaches of the 5S Foundation while activities such as research, public engagement, training and capacity building get underway.

Highlights

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions and affect more than one billion people.[1]
In order to unpack the social and political determinants of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) it is important to view the problem from a social science perspective
The Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases (5S) Foundation has recently been established by the Centre for Global Health Research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School with a 4-y grant from the National Institute of Health Research (2019–2023)

Summary

Introduction

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions and affect more than one billion people.[1]. The 5S Foundation will take advantage of a multidisciplinary team to examine cultural, social and economic contexts of podoconiosis, mycetoma and scabies to investigate how these diseases have been conceptualised at the national and international policy level, to identify existing interventions for stigmatised skin diseases, to develop comprehensive intervention strategies for the three NTDs and to strengthen the capacity for social science research in Ethiopia, Sudan and Rwanda. This protocol paper sets out the aims and approaches of the 5S Foundation while activities such as research, public engagement, training and capacity building get underway. Macro-level: This will involve the exploration of the policy environment in relation to NTDs internationally and within each partner country

Method

Discussion

Conclusion