Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Mycobacterium ulcerans disease, a neglected tropical disease commonly referred to as buruli ulcer (BU) has a global geographical distribution in about 33countries with widely reported increased incidence in West African sub-region. The yet to be discovered mode of transmission has contributed greatly to the obscurity in proffering sustainable preventive and control measures. Early detection and prompt reporting of cases with timely treatment of patients seem helpful. On the contrary BU is a disease of the poor rural populace who most times have inadequate or no access to health care due to lack of presence of government facilities hence there is usually late or no report to appropriate quarters. BU causes chronic devastating skin ulcers and often bone disfiguration with majority of patients suffering rejection and stigmatization. Incidence, prevalence and mapping of BU is one of the top research priorities of WHO intervention plans. Geographical Information Science (GIS) have been widely applied in the field of infectious disease, environmental epidemiology and public health at large. This study therefore was carried out to assess the distribution of BU in some communities of Ogun State by producing georeferenced maps showing the spatial pattern of BU cases with their clusters and hotspots. Methods & Materials: Data on BU cases were retrieved from records of Hansen's Disease Centre, Iberekedo Abeokuta, Ogun state; reference center for BU. Addresses were located and geographic coordinates taken and recorded accordingly using eTrex handheld GPS. Self-administered structured questionnaire were carried out among consenting respondents from randomly selected local government areas of Ogun state. The coordinate locations generated were subsequently exported into ArcGIS 10 software and plotted as point locations. Spatial analysis and statistics were carried out to determine the high and low clusters of BU cases. Results: The spatial pattern indicated radii of 2.81KM and 1.29KM for primary and secondary clusters respectively. The numerous rivers across the study areas reveal possible environmental risk factors associated with BU Conclusion: This study serves as a preliminary attempt at mapping BU in Ogun state. It is anticipated that the results will serve as baseline information for continuous research on the epidemiology of M.ulcerans in Nigeria.
Authors: P.I. Otuh, O.K. Adeyemo, F.O. Soyinka, E.E. Nwezza
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,900
OpenAlex ID: W1990608293