03035nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001653001400042653001500056653003900071653001600110653001300126653001700139653001400156100001600170700001200186700001100198245015700209856008900366300001300455490000700468520230400475022001402779       2016                            d10aTreatment10aPrevention10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aCommunities10aCameroon10aBuruli ulcer10aAttitudes1 aAkoachere J1 aNsai FS1 aNdip R00aA community based study on the mode of transmission, prevention and treatment of Buruli ulcers in Southwest Cameroon: knowledge, attitude and practices.  uhttp://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/asset?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0156463.PDF  ae01564630 v113 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease affecting the skin, tissues and in some cases the bones, caused by the environmental pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans). Its mode of transmission is still elusive. Delayed treatment may cause irreversible disabilities with consequent social and economic impacts on the victim. Socio-cultural beliefs, practices and attitudes in endemic communities have been shown to influence timely treatment causing disease management, prevention and control a great challenge. An assessment of these factors in endemic localities is important in designing successful intervention strategies. Considering this, we assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding BU in three endemic localities in the South West region, Cameroon to highlight existing misconceptions that need to be addressed to enhance prompt treatment and facilitate effective prevention and control.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS AND FINDINGS: </strong>A cross-sectional study was executed in three BU endemic health districts. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches we surveyed 320 randomly selected household heads, interviewed BU patients and conducted three focus group discussions (FGDs) to obtain information on awareness, beliefs, treatment, and attitudes towards victims. The influence of socio-demographic factors on these variables was investigated.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Respondents (84.4%) had a good knowledge of BU though only 65% considered it a health problem while 49.4% believed it is contagious. Socio-demographic factors significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced awareness of BU, knowledge and practice on treatment and attitudes towards victims. Although the majority of respondents stated the hospital as the place for appropriate treatment, FGDs and some BU victims preferred witchdoctors/herbalists and prayers, and considered the hospital as the last option. We documented beliefs about the disease which could delay treatment.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Though we are reporting a high level of knowledge of BU, there exist fallacies about BU and negative attitudes towards victims in communities studied. Efforts towards disease eradication must first of all target these misconceptions.</p>
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