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Asian Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 483-497
DOI: 10.17311/ajbs.2011.483.497
Associations of Perceived Risk Factors for the Development of Buruli Ulcer
Samuel Fosu Gyasi, Esi Awuah and John A. Larbi

Abstract: Mycobacterium ulcerans disease or Buruli Ulcer (BU), is an indolent, necrotizing infection of skin, subcutaneous tissue and occasionally, bones. Primary risk factor associated with BU apart from proximity to slow moving water and exposure to wetlands is socioeconomic status of disease endemic dwellers. The objective of this study is to identify associations of some perceived risk factors for the development of BU. A total of 62 case positive subjects were matched against 138 controls from the 3 systematically selected endemic communities to determine their level of perceived risk factors to the disease. Regression analysis among endemic population revealed that apart from marital status, no age group, gender, educational level, occupation, religious belief nor knowledge of BU was perceived to predispose people living in endemic area to the development of BU as compare to the reference group for each variable. There was correlation between those who are married with BU compared to the single (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-7.1; p = 0.026). Multivariate analysis on perceived knowledge of the disease, perception of socioeconomic status and perceived occupational hygiene among endemic community dwellers revealed no association of risk to developing BU. Present study has revealed that perception of the general risk factors among people in endemic region seems to differ from the risk factors from literature.

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How to cite this article
Samuel Fosu Gyasi, Esi Awuah and John A. Larbi, 2011. Associations of Perceived Risk Factors for the Development of Buruli Ulcer. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 483-497.

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