Knowledge, Practices and Attitude of Residents towards Buruli Ulcer in Jasikan Municipality: An Ethnographic Study

BACKGROUND: Buruli ulcer is one of the neglected tropical diseases in the world. The mode of transmission and the identification of source reservoirs of the causative organism of the disease are still largely unknown. Buruli ulcer often starts with a pre-ulcerative nodule, a plaque or oedema, which breaks down to form characteristic ulcers with undermined edges. The first probable case of Buruli ulcer in Ghana was reported in the Greater Accra Region in 1971. PURPOSE: This study explored the knowledge, practices and attitudes of residents towards Buruli ulcer in Jasikan Municipality. METHOD: The study employed an ethnographic approach. Data were collected from 20 study participants using an in-depth interview guide. The data were presented using thematic analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee (UHAS-REC: UHAS-REC A.11 [103] 2l-22). RESULTS: The knowledge of respondents on Buruli ulcer was moderate. The study found that respondents sought treatment for Buruli ulcer in health facilities, prayer camps, herbalist homes, and practised self-medication. The study found that residents did not want to be seen with persons living with Buruli ulcer and the practice in terms of cleanliness of the wound was found to be low. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents had varied social constructions for Buruli ulcer and employed several methods to clean and dress the wound. The study recommended more health education by health workers to improve residents’ knowledge and practices on Buruli ulcer in the study setting.