Healthcare seeking behaviour for Buruli ulcer in Benin: a model to capture therapy choice of patients and healthy community members.

Buruli ulcer is a devastating condition emerging in West Africa. We investigated why patients often report late to the hospital. Health seeking behaviour determinants and stigma were studied by in-depth interviews in patients treated in hospital (n=107), patients treated traditionally (n=46) of whom 22 had active disease, and healthy community control subjects (n=107).

Association of HIV infection and Mycobacterium ulcerans disease in Benin.

We investigated the association between Buruli ulcer and HIV by comparing the HIV-1/2 seroprevalence in a series of 426 Buruli ulcer patients and a sample of 613 residents of southern Benin. The overall HIV prevalence was 2.6% (11/426) among patients and 0.

Environmental and health-related risk factors for Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) in Benin.

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between Buruli ulcer (BU) and environmental- and health-related behaviors in southern Benin. Hospital BU cases (N = 324) and sex- and age-matched neighborhood controls (N = 1,173) answered a questionnaire. Regular use of soap for washing, treating injuries with soap or antibiotic powder, and frequent contact with flowing water appeared protective against BU.

Association between haemoglobin variants S and C and Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer): a case-control study in Benin.

Risk factors for Buruli ulcer (BU) are poorly understood. We conducted a case-control study in southern Benin to investigate the association between haemoglobin variants S or C and BU, and particularly the association between haemoglobinopathies HbSS/SC and BU osteomyelitis. We compared the haemoglobin genotype of 179 patients with BU and 44 with BU osteomyelitis to that of 242 community controls.

Risk factors for Buruli ulcer, Benin.

We identified risk factors for Buruli ulcer (BU) in Benin in an unmatched case-control study at the Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten in southern Benin. A total of 2,399 persons admitted from 1997 through 2003 and 1,444 unmatched patients with other conditions in 2002 were recruited. Adjusted odds ratios were determined for age, sex, place of residence, Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination at birth, type of water for domestic use, and occupation.

BCG vaccine effectiveness against Buruli ulcer: a case-control study in Benin.

BCG remains the only possible prophylactic intervention against Buruli ulcer (BU). Estimating its public health impact on BU control is an important issue. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the vaccine effectiveness of routine BCG vaccine against BU in southern Benin.

Buruli ulcer recurrence, Benin.

Buruli ulcer is a recognized public health problem in West Africa. In Benin, from 1989 to 2001, the Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten (CSNG) treated >2,500 Buruli ulcer patients. From March 2000 to February 2001, field trips were conducted in the Zou and Atlantique regions.

Reliability and validity of the Buruli ulcer functional limitation score questionnaire.

The reliability and validity of the earlier developed Buruli ulcer functional limitation score (BUFLS) questionnaire was assessed. Of 638 former Buruli ulcer patients (of 678 individuals examined), sufficient items on daily activities (>or= 13 of the 19) were applicable to calculate a score. To determine the validity, the functional limitation scores of the 638 individuals were compared with the global impression of the limitations, range of motion (ROM), and the social impact (change of occupation or education) of Buruli ulcer.

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) in rural hospital, Southern Benin, 1997-2001.

Data from 1,700 patients living in southern Benin were collected at the Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten, Zagnanado, Benin, from 1997 through 2001. In the Zou region in 1999, Buruli ulcer (BU) had a higher detection rate (21.5/100,000) than leprosy (13.

Psychosocial aspects of health seeking behaviours of patients with Buruli ulcer in southern Benin.

We investigated cultural beliefs and psychosocial factors associated with Buruli ulcer in southern Benin in order to elaborate and deliver appropriate health education messages. We conducted a qualitative study among 130 adults and 30 children in Zou province, a highly endemic region. Focus group interviews of inhabitants, patients and their assistants, health care professionals and traditional healers took place in Dasso, Ouinhi, Sagon and Zagnanado.

First case of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) following a human bite.

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (MUD) is rapidly reemerging in many countries, especially in West African countries. Antecedent trauma has often been related to the lesions that characterize this frequently crippling disease. We report here the first case of MUD that followed a human bite at the site where the lesion later occurred.