Community-based podiatric health programme to improve access to foot care and strengthen local health capacity in Morocco and Cameroon

Abstract Background Foot health disorders represent an often-overlooked component of health inequities in low-resource settings, where access to specialized podiatric services remains limited. Insufficient healthcare infrastructure, shortages of trained professionals, and limited rehabilitation resources may contribute to preventable disability and reduced quality of life among vulnerable populations. This study describes the implementation of a community-based podiatric health model designed to improve access to foot healthcare and strengthen local healthcare capacity in Morocco and Cameroon. Methods A community-based podiatric health programme was implemented between 2020 and 2025 through international cooperation initiatives in specific community settings in Sangmélima (South Region, Cameroon) and in partnership with the Complexe Régional des Personnes en Situation d’Handicap in Azrou, Morocco. The programme integrated four complementary components: podiatric clinical assessment, health education, capacity building of local healthcare personnel, and referral and care coordination for complex cases. Participants were identified through collaborating healthcare, educational, and disability-support institutions using institution-based identification and community outreach activities. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize participant demographics, comorbidities, and podiatric disorders. Results A total of 545 participants were assessed, including 102 individuals from Morocco and 443 from Cameroon. In Morocco, neurological disorders were the most common comorbidity (43.1%), and the most frequent podiatric findings were Achilles tendon contracture (29.4%), equinus foot (28.4%), hindfoot valgus (19.6%), and clubfoot (9.8%). In Cameroon, the most prevalent podiatric findings were metatarsus adductus (12.9%), claw toes (7.0%), gait adduction (5.2%), clubfoot (4.5%), and hindfoot valgus (4.5%). Conclusions The programme identified a substantial burden of podiatric disorders among vulnerable populations in Morocco and Cameroon and highlighted important gaps in access to specialized foot healthcare services. The community-based podiatric health model was feasible to implement in resource-limited settings and provided an integrated approach combining podiatric clinical assessment, health education, workforce development, and referral and care coordination. This model may represent a potentially sustainable and replicable strategy for strengthening local health systems and contributing to the reduction of inequities in access to foot healthcare in underserved communities.