Buruli Ulcer Community Health Education and Medical Screening (BU-CHEMS) in Ga South District, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The National Service Personnel Association of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NSPA-NMIMR) carries out an annual community outreach project comprising health education and medical screening for some of the diseases that the institute works on. Therefore, the NSPA 2009/2010 group (40 personnel) conducted Buruli ulcer community health education and medical screening (BU-CHEMS) in the Ga South District of Ghana in July 2010. Method: BU is caused by mycobacterium ulcerans, and starts as a painless nodule, which can progress to ulcer, particularly on the upper and lower extremities. BU is often associated with witchcraft in some Ghanaian communities, and as a result, some patients reluctantly seek medical treatment. Therefore, prior to the screening program, the NSPA and medical staff from the Obom Health Centre showed video documentaries on BU as a way of educating and dispelling myths about the disease. This was followed by screening for nodules and ulcers among 2,500 people, mostly children in primary schools, residing in four endemic communities in the Ga South District. Other medical screening activities included blood group/pressure tests, Body Mass Index (BMI) and body temperature checks. Results and conclusion: Suspected cases of BU (N=33) ranging from nodules, plagues, oedema and ulcers of the disease on various parts of the body including the lower and upper extremities were identified, and samples were sent to NMIMR for PCR confirmation. All the PCR-positive cases (78%), including children (<15 years, 88%) were referred to the Obom Health Center for clinical treatment. The BU-CHEMS organized by NSPA 2009/2010 group (with sponsorship from corporate organizations) contributed to NMIMR mandate: improving the health and wellbeing of Ghanaians and mankind through focused and relevant quality biomedical research, human resource development and support of national public health activities.