Detection of tissue remodelling by Fast Field-Cycling methods

Abstract 57Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Dryness of skin indicating sign of a healing wound.

<p>Dryness of skin indicating sign of a healing wound.</p

Cultural Understanding of Wounds, Buruli Ulcers and Their Management at the Obom Sub-district of the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

<div><p>Background</p><p>This study was conducted with the aim to understand some of the cultural belief systems in the management of wounds and patients practices that could contaminate wounds at the Obom sub-district of the Ga South Municipality of Ghana.</p><p>Methods</p><p>This was an ethnographic study using in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions and participant observation techniques for data collection. Observations were done on Buruli ulcer patients to document how they integrate local and modern wound management practices in the day-to-day handling of their wounds. Content analysis was done after the data were subjected to thematic coding and representative narratives selected for presentation.</p><p>Results</p><p>It was usually believed that wounds were caused by charms or spirits and, therefore, required the attention of a native healer. In instances where some patients’ wounds were dressed in the hospital by clinicians whose condition/age/sex contradict the belief of the patient, the affected often redress the wounds later at home. Some of the materials often used for such wound dressing include urine and concoctions made of charcoal and gunpowder with the belief of driving out evil spirits from the wounds.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Clinicians must therefore be aware of these cultural beliefs and take them into consideration when managing Buruli ulcer wounds to prevent redressing at home after clinical treatment. This may go a long way to reduce secondary infections that have been observed in Buruli ulcer wounds.</p></div

Dressing of buruli ulcer wound at a health centre.

<p>Dressing of buruli ulcer wound at a health centre.</p

Development of IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers measured by change in wound area over time at the PHC center (the patient code “OHC” refers to the patient numbering at the PHC center in Obom) A acute ulcers which healed within the observations period B chronic non healing ulcers.

<p>Development of IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers measured by change in wound area over time at the PHC center (the patient code “OHC” refers to the patient numbering at the PHC center in Obom) A acute ulcers which healed within the observations period B chronic non healing ulcers.</p

Infected IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers on the left leg of patient 003 at the SHC center.

<p>Infected IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers on the left leg of patient 003 at the SHC center.</p

WHO categories of all BU patients with IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers enrolled at the PHC and the SHC centers

<p>WHO categories of all BU patients with IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers enrolled at the PHC and the SHC centers</p

Pre-enrolment history and post-enrolment observation of IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers of the study patients at the PHC center (the patient code “OHC” refers to the patient numbering at the PHC center in Obom).

<p>Pre-enrolment history and post-enrolment observation of IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers of the study patients at the PHC center (the patient code “OHC” refers to the patient numbering at the PHC center in Obom).</p

Development of IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers measured by change in wound area over time at the SHC center (the patient code “AMH” refers to the patient numbering at the SHC center in Amasaman) A sub-chronic and healed ulcers B chronic non healing ulcers.

<p>Development of IS<i>2404</i> PCR positive ulcers measured by change in wound area over time at the SHC center (the patient code “AMH” refers to the patient numbering at the SHC center in Amasaman) A sub-chronic and healed ulcers B chronic non healing ulcers.</p

Study algorithm at the PHC center and the SHC center.

<p>Study algorithm at the PHC center and the SHC center.</p