Research • Community care • Prevention
Research and Community Action Against Neglected Tropical Diseases
IFOTRODE connects practical research with community care for tungiasis, scabies and podoconiosis in underserved communities in Uganda.
Results from the Napak tungiasis project, 2021–2022
Residents examined
Residents treated at least once
Tungiasis prevalence
Source: IFOTRODE tungiasis project report, 2021–2022. Project details and sources · Published evaluation. Historical project findings.
Our Approach
Community Care
We support community detection and care for tungiasis, scabies and podoconiosis, working through Village Health Teams and frontline health workers.
Research and Innovation
We investigate disease distribution, risk factors and practical approaches to prevention and care to inform programmes and health services.
Prevention and Recovery
We promote foot hygiene and household prevention measures, alongside support to help affected people regain mobility and participate in daily life.
Our Completed Projects
From community treatment to disease mapping and school gardens, our projects connect evidence with practical action.
Tungiasis Control in Napak
Completed in 2021–2022, this community intervention combined repeated treatment of people and affected domestic animals with health promotion.
Mapping Podoconiosis in Uganda
Completed research mapping the geographical distribution and risk of podoconiosis across twelve districts to inform prevention and care.
School Gardens in Napak
A completed project that established gardens in six primary schools, with agricultural inputs and practical training to support food production and learning.
Understanding Podoconiosis
Completed research in Napak investigating podoconiosis development and progression to inform earlier diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Research and Publications
Learn about the research questions behind our work and explore research contributed by members of the IFOTRODE team.
Featured publication · PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases · 2025
Reduction of tungiasis prevalence, intensity, and morbidity during a two-year long community-based tungiasis control project in a hyperendemic region in Karamoja, Uganda
Hannah McNeilly, Francis Mutebi, Felix Reichert, Marlene Thielecke, Mike L. Banalyaki, George M. Mukone, Rebecca Arono and Hermann Feldmeier.
This paper reports findings from a two-year community-based tungiasis control project in Napak, linking repeated diagnosis and treatment with health promotion.
Read the publication ↗
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013149
Working together
Partnerships That Connect Evidence With Action
Our completed school gardens project brought together Charité University Medicine Berlin, Makerere University and Napak District Local Government, with support from Mrs Siemers, Germany. The podoconiosis mapping study was supported by the Wellcome Trust, United Kingdom.
School gardens partners and contributions · Mapping project support
Let’s Work Together
We welcome enquiries about research collaboration, community health programmes and support for our work. Contact us to discuss how we could work together.