Buruli ulcer disease in Greater Accra Region, Ghana- analysis of data from 2011-2015

Introduction : buruli Ulcer (BU) is a chronic debilitating skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. It is the third most widespread mycobacterium infection after tuberculosis and leprosy globally but second in Ghana; causing morbidity in immuno-competent humans. M. ulcerans infection leads to chronic ulcers, deformities and functional limitation and its virulence depend on mycolactone. BU surveillance data are not adequately analysed to effectively identify the distribution of BU disease at regional levels. BU data was therefore analysed to identify the distribution of the disease in Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Methods : data from 2011 to 2015 was extracted from the BU02 forms in the Greater Accra Region. Variables collected were sex, age, district of residence, categories of lesions, location of lesions and clinical forms. Descriptive analysis was done and expressed as frequencies and graphs using Epi info7. b>Results : a total of 496 confirmed cases were reported in the region. The mean age of the patients was 28.9±21.5years. The minimum and maximum ages were 1 year and 100 years. Yearly trends showed cases decreased from 223 (45%) in 2011 to 27 (5.4%) in 2015 with 52.2% being males and 38.3% children Conclusion : the number of reported BU cases decreased considerably over the period with most patients presenting at the late stage (Cat III) of the disease. The majority of patients are in Ga South but access health care in Ga West. Public education and national awareness about the disease should be intensified and more resources allocated to Ga West.