Wollaita zone is found in the Southern Nation Nationalities People's Region. It has anrnestimated population of about 1.5 million out of which 92.2% lives in the rural arearnmainly on farming. A study was conducted in the zone on podoconiosis patients torninvestigate the social burden of the disease. In depth interviews were used to gainrninformation on the social aspect of the disease. Additional quantitative data wasrncollected on 60 families to see if there is any familial occurrence contributing to thernsocial burden. Data analysis was performed in the field and after completion of datarncollection. Podoconiosis patients suffer from social burdens apart from the physicalrnburden through out their life due to the societal values attached to the disease.rnPatients are stigmatized and isolated in the society. The negative attitudes towardsrntheir illness is expressed during marriage arrangements, employment, schooling andrnsocial disagreements. The disabilities of podoconiosis patients supplemented by thernnegative social attitude make patients less competent and productive. Podoconiosisrnhas familial occurrence making few families targets for the stigma and discriminationrnfound with in the society. Additionally the lack of knowledge of the cause, preventionrnand treatment of the disease among health professionals has added to the existingrnburden of the society. The course of stigma that is seen on podoconiosis patientsrncould apply to other stigmatized diseases. Recommendation is made to raise thernawareness of health professionals and the community so that the disease can bernprevented as well as eradicated in Welayita and other Ethiopian societies.