Mycetoma: Training of health workers at national and district levels on skin-NTDs

Mycetoma is a chronic disease usually of the foot but any part of the body can be affected. Infection is most probably acquired by traumatic inoculation of certain fungi or ‎bacteria into the subcutaneous tissue. The disease commonly affects young adults, mostly males aged between 15 and 30 years in developing countries. People of low socioeconomic status and manual workers such as agriculturalists, labourers and herdsmen are the worst affected.

Mycetoma has numerous adverse medical, health and socioeconomic impacts on patients, communities and health authorities. Accurate data on its incidence and prevalence are not available. However, early detection and treatment are important to reduce morbidity and improve treatment outcomes. The aim of the course is to provide information about mycetoma to increase knowledge and skills of national and front-line health workers to address this disease.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the epidemiology of mycetoma;
• Describe the clinical aspects;
• Understand how the diagnosis is made;
• Explain how to treat mycetoma; and
• Describe the public health interventions.