The Effectiveness of a Multifocal Training to Improve the Treatment of Chromoblastomycosis in Rural Madagascar

Madagascar has the highest number of cases of chromoblastomycosis in the world, but the areas of highest incidence have limited affordable access and knowledge of first line medications to treat this long-term fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The impact of a multifocal training targeting medical doctors who live in the area of the country with the highest prevalence of this disease has not been clearly reported. The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of a multifocal training on chromoblastomycosis for Malagasy medical doctors in the SAVA (Sambava, Andapa, Vohemar, and Antalaha) province of Madagascar (in the country’s northeast) about diagnosis, staging, patient education poster, and treatment options of chromoblastomycosis versus common treatment practices to increase participant’s knowledge and utilization of current treatment recommendations for chromoblastomycosis. Medical doctors in the SAVA province of Madagascar enrolled in the multifocal trainings.