Abstract

Buruli ulcer is a disease that eats through the skin, muscle and bone, leaving victims with disfiguring and debilitating craters. This study was conducted in the Amansie West District, which is the most endemic area in Ghana. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the study population. Data was collected using in-depth interviews with the help of questionnaires consisting of both closed and open-ended questions, in addition to focus group discussions. The research revealed that there are knowledge gaps on how the mycobacterium enters the body, although it is clear the bacterium is unable to do so by itself and therefore, curse from the gods and witchcraft were among the perceived causes of the disease. It was also revealed that indigenous form of treatment such as herbs, clay and honey are widely used as a treatment option. Though their effectiveness and efficacy has not been proven scientifically, the positive responses from patients suggests that its reliability cannot be doubted. There is no drug for the treatment of Buruli Ulcer and though certain antibiotics have been tried, their efficacy is still in doubt. The mainstay of treatment is surgical excision of the lesion and this is both costly and dangerous, leading to the loss of considerable amounts of tissues or disability and thus discouraging patients from seeking treatment. This research concludes that the local terminologies, beliefs and all the names associated with this indigenous knowledge should be documented and understood as an effective intervention for treating and managing Buruli ulcer.

Key words: Indigenous, Burulu ulcer, treatment, mycobacterium, herbs.