Abstract
This study examines some of the socioeconomic cost of treating 102 cases of Buruli ulcer between 1994 and 1996 at the St. Martin's Catholic Hospital in Agroyesum in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region of Ghana. Seventy percent of the cases were children (up to 15 years of age). There was no sex difference in the distribution of cases. Hospitalization was prolonged (average = 186 days in 1994, 103 days in 1995, and 102 days in 1996) with no significant age and sex differences. There were 10 limb amputations, 12 patients were left with contracture deformities, one patient lost sight in one eye, and two died of sepsis and tetanus. The average total treatment cost per patient was $966.85 (62% indirect) in 1994, $706.08 (75% indirect) in 1995, and $658.74 (79% indirect) in 1996. With increasing number of cases, high treatment costs, and serious complications, urgent attention should be given to the disease in terms of control and research efforts aimed at early detection and treatment.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
