Buruli Ulcer Disability in Ghana: The Problems and Solutions
Pius Agbenorku *
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Department of Surgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Buruli ulcer (BU) is a tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) but with “unknown” means of transmission. In order to help reduce this disease, many preventive and treatment measures have been recommended and used in the past years around the globe. This aims to review BU disability problems, prevention and treatment procedures used in Ghana. The review was done by soliciting information from literatures, published articles, news reports and presentations on Buruli ulcer disability prevention and treatment in Ghana. BU disease results in disabilities such as contractures, amputation of the arms and legs, loss of eyes and eyelids and loss of nose among others. Antimicrobial therapies, prevention of deformities and surgical interventions have been the main treatment options for BU in Ghana. Prevention of disabilities caused by BU can be achieved by early detection, treatment of the disease supported by intensive health education programs within the prone areas and empowerment of patients through small-scale welfare grants.
Keywords: Buruli ulcer, disability, prevention, health education, intervention