Household Perceptions, Treatment Seeking Behaviour, and Health Outcomes for Buruli Ulcer Disease in Owerri, South-Eastern Nigeria

This study aimed to identify and ascertain the participants' beliefs and the impact that this has on their health-seeking behaviors and expected health outcomes in Owerri, south-eastern Nigeria. For this investigation, a purposeful sample of 178 case-positive individuals who had received care or were receiving care at health centers in Imo State was taken. A qualitative, in-depth interview guide and a semi-structured questionnaire were both used to obtain the data. According to the data, 34.8% of the participants believed that Buruli ulcer sickness was a spiritual illness brought on by their enemies, while 17.97% said that poor cleanliness was to blame, 32.4% said that contaminated water was to blame, and 16.9% said that inflicted wounds were to blame. According to other findings, the first line of treatment is often a traditional herbal remedy (44.9%), but some people prefer self-medication (22.5%), including the use of ointments and pain relievers since they think it has been defined as a boil. According to the findings, most people seek care after being dissatisfied with both traditional medicine and self-medication and possibly after issues have developed. As a result, the views of what caused the illness affected health-seeking behavior, which in turn affected the results of therapy. A lot of information is required regarding the etiology and signs of the illness, as well as encouraging early attendance at the Health Center for treatment.