Research Journal of Environmental Sciences1819-34122151-8238Academic Journals Inc.10.3923/rjes.2014.78.89FosuGyasi Samuel AwuahEsi OfosuEric Antwi KoteiDavid MohamedAbbas Kabiru 2201482Morbidity due to Buruli Ulcer (BU) disease, a cutaneous infection caused by
Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), has been increasingly recognized in rural
West Africa. The source and mode of transmission remain unknown. Although the
disease has received public health attention, its impact on individuals in endemic
communities with respect to attitudes towards behavioural sanitation at the
community level is yet to be fully explored. In this study, a survey was conducted
to access the attitude of behavioural sanitation among respondents of BU communities
in relation to MU infections in the Asanti Akim North district, Ghana. Data
from these were compared with respondents from their non endemic controls within
the same district. Analysis of the results showed that, a greater proportions
of BU endemic respondents had knowledge of BU patients (88.57%) compared to
the non endemic control (15.71%) (p<0.0001; OR = 41.57). However, they had
no idea how they got infected. The study also showed that, majority of respondents
(17.14%) in BU endemic communities were themselves past patients of the disease
compared to their control (9.09%) (p = 0.0014; OR = 14.28). Environmental hygiene
related behaviours of the respondents based on endemicity were also assessed
and analysis of the result showed that, a fewer proportions of BU endemic respondents
(28.57%) neglected basic sanitation practices compared to their non-endemic
counterparts (80.0%) (p<0.0001). The study has shown that, respondents of
BU endemic dwellers were not bothered by environmental behavioural hygienic
practices and this could possibly exposed BU endemic dwellers to pathogenic
assault of MU.]]>Adubofour, K., K. Obiri-Danso and C. Quansah,201225119Aiga, H., T. Amano, S. Cairncross, J. Adomako, O.K. Nanas and S. Coleman,200471387392Akuoko-Asibey, A. and H.J. McPherson,2009184954Asiedu, K. and S. Etuaful,20002000pp: 57-60pp: 57-60Aujoulat, I., M.P. Huguet-Ribas and Y. Koita,19961252230Benbow, M.E., H. Williamson, R. Kimbirauskus, M. McIntosh and R. Kolar et al.,20081412471254Bakker, K.,2003169328341Fyfe, J.A., C.J. Lavender, K.A. Handasyde, A.R. Legione and C.R.O. Brien et al.,2010Mycobacterium ulcerans.]]>4e791e791Gyasi, S.F., E. Awuah, J.A. Larbi, G.A. Koffuor, A.Y. Debrah, N.Y. Awuah Boateng and O.O. Afriyie,20134254264Gyasi, S.F., E. Awuah, J.A. Larbi and G.A. Koffuor,2012Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in Buruli ulcer endemic areas.]]>56675Gyasi, S.F., E. Awuah and J.A. Larbi,20114483497Mandal, K.,20082008Kumar, G.S., S.S. Kar and A. Jain,2011159396Lagardere, J.,20072007Merritt, R.W., E.D. Walker, P.L. Small, J.R. Wallace, P.D. Johnson, M.E. Benbow and D.A. Boakye,20104911911Nkrumah, B. and S.B. Nguah,20112011Odeyinka, S.M., D.O. Torimiro, J.O. Oyedele and V.O. Asaolu,2007Moringa oleifera in Southwestern Nigeria: A perceptional analysis.]]>6320325Quek, T.Y.J., E. Athan, M.J. Henry, J.A. Pasco, J. Redden-Hoare, A. Hughes and P.D.R. Johnson,2007Mycobacterium ulcerans infection, Southeastern Australia.]]>1316611666Raghunathan, P.L., E.A.S. Whitney, K. Asamoa, Y. Stienstra and T.H. Jr. Taylor et al.,2005Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection): Results from a case-control study in Ghana.]]>4014451453Stienstra, Y., W.T.A. Van der Graaf, G.J. Te Meerman, T.H. The, L.F. De Leij and T.S. Van Der Werf,2001Mycobacterium ulcerans disease: Review of possible risk factors.]]>6554562Stinear, T.P., T. Seemann, S. Pidot, W. Frigui and G. Reysset et al.,2007Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer.]]>17192200Sorensen, D.L., S.G. Eberl and R.A. Dicksa,1989Clostridium perfringens as a point source indicator in non-point polluted streams.]]>23191197Whittington, D., D.T. Lauria, A.M. Wright, K. Choe, J.A. Hughes and V. Swarna,19932915391560WHO,20082008pp: 145-156pp: 145-156Yidana, S.M. and E. Koffie,20132013