02344nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001260003400042653005700076653002100133653002800154653001100182653001700193100001600210700001100226700001500237245012400252856026000376300000800636520145700644022002502101       2023                            d  bOxford University Press (OUP)10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aGeneral Medicine10aHealth (social science)10aStigma10aBuruli Ulcer1 aAzubuike PC1 aImo UF1 aOgbonna CK00aQualitative study of the stigma associated with the lived experiences of Buruli ulcer disease among patients in Nigeria  uhttps://watermark.silverchair.com/ihad090.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAA3swggN3BgkqhkiG9w0BBwagggNoMIIDZAIBADCCA10GCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQM_Egy3Kvy634u0zcsAgEQgIIDLnXbVbPwcSWx69wO91CK4jEaSqNJ8TKjLKzXuxL-Fa9okY_  a1-83 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and bone caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, with various disabling and stigmatising sequelae. Patients face a range of adverse impacts owing to the disease as most are unable to relate effectively with their communities, battling stigma and fear of discrimination. This study aimed to explore the stigma associated with the lived experiences of BUD in patients in Nigeria.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that employed a focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews in Enugu State, Nigeria. A random sampling of communities was followed by a purposive selection of FGD participants and key informants. A total of six key informants and eight FGD participants took part in the study. Data were collected over 6 wk from December 2022 to February 2023. The NVivo application was used to analyse transcripts and compute themes of quotes.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong> Patients experienced stigma owing to the condition. The most reported experiences by participants were shame and culpability, isolation and social exclusion, including maltreatment from family members.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Identifying the stigma experienced by patients owing to BUD helps in the provision of psychosocial management services and support for patients.</p>
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