The 5S Foundation Project, in collaboration with the Oromia Regional Health Bureau, organized a Research Dissemination and Stakeholders Engagement Workshop

The Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases (5S Foundation) Project, in collaboration with the Oromia Regional Health Bureau, organized a Research Dissemination and Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on 07 December 2023 at Jimma City, Rebika International Hotel. The workshop was attended by various stakeholders from regional, zonal, and wired health bureaus, religious leaders, researchers from Jimma University, Podo patients, school principals, community elders, and youth representatives.

The meeting began with a welcoming speech by Mr. Teshome, Jimma zone health bureau NTD coordinator. In his speech, Mr. Teshome emphasized that NTDs, specifically Podoconiosis, are neglected and receive less attention. Therefore, the study conducted by the 5S research in Kersa woreda is significant for reducing the problem in the Jimma Zone.

Following this, Prof. Gentnet Tadele, country lead and PI of the 5S Foundation project, made an opening remark. Prof. Getnet highlighted that the main aim of the project is to study the issues, suggest policies to policymakers, print and distribute the findings. Additionally, this project has a unique feature of enhancing constructive knowledge among key stakeholders. Thus, the project has been engaging various stakeholders since its inception until now. Today's meeting is one aspect of sharing the primary findings with the community and relevant stakeholders. In general, the project looks at Podo and scabies from social science perspectives. Finally, Prof. Getnet briefed about the project aims, components of the project, focus areas, and the research progress conducted so far.

Following the opening remarks, Mr. Birhanu Kenate, Oromia Health Bureau representative, presented the context of NTDs in Oromia Region and efforts underway in detail. Subsequently, Dr. Kibur Engdawork, a 5S Foundation post-doctoral researcher, presented on "Identifying Contextual, Setting, and Implementational Factors in Podoconiosis Reduction Social Intervention." It was followed by Mr. Bikila's presentation on "The Lived Experiences of Management of Podoconiosis Illness in Rural Areas of Western Ethiopia, Jimma Zone, Oromia Region." The workshop continued with other presentations, discussions, and lived experience sharing.