Contribution of the community health volunteers in the control of Buruli ulcer in Benin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Usually BU begins as a painless nodule, plaque or edema, ultimately developing into an ulcer. The high number of patients presenting with ulcers in an advanced stage is striking. Such late presentation will complicate treatment and have long-term disabilities as a consequence. The disease is mainly endemic in West Africa. The primary strategy for control of this disease is early detection using community village volunteers.

Methodology/principal findings

In this retrospective, observational study, information regarding Buruli ulcer patients that reported to one of the four BU centers in Bénin between January 2008 and December 2010 was collected using the WHO/BU01 forms. Information

SUBMITTER: Barogui YT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4183479 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature