02309nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653002700079653001700106653003500123653003400158100001600192700001200208700001300220700001200233700001200245700001000257245016400267856009800431300000900529490000700538520149600545022001402041       2024                            d  bPublic Library of Science (PLoS)10aHealth care facilities10aPodoconiosis10aHealth education and promotion10aBehavioral and social aspects1 aEngdawork K1 aDavey G1 aTadele G1 aNahar P1 aZaman S1 aJu YJ00aOpportunities and challenges in utilizing community assets to extend chronic care management in podoconiosis endemic areas: Evidence from Northwestern Ethiopia  uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0309770&type=printable  a1-180 v193 a<jats:p>Community-based chronic care intervention is important in the control and prevention of lifelong conditions such as podoconiosis and similar ‘intensive disease management’ neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Despite a call for such interventions, few efforts have been made to identify opportunities and challenges related to their implementation. Employing a qualitative approach, this study explored the possibility of engaging community actors, physical places and networks to promote chronic care management in rural Ethiopia. We gathered data from affected individuals, community members, local leaders, health professionals and community health workers between April and May 2022. The study revealed that affected individuals, family members, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and health professionals have the potential to extend chronic care management in rural areas. Houses, churches, schools, and healthcare facilities are suitable venues at which to perform interventions. Strong community solidarity and political will are vital to chronic care interventions, while lack of understanding about chronic conditions, financial constraints, and limited resources at healthcare facilities could pose challenges. Using community assets has great promise for expanding chronic care management with minimal costs and efforts in under resourced areas. Achieving this will require a successful plan to coordinate the collaboration among the agents and settings.</jats:p>  a1932-6203