[Traditional treatment for Buruli ulcer in Benin]. / Le traitement traditionnel de l'ulcère de Buruli au Bénin.

The purpose of this transversve qualitative study on traditional treatment for Buruli ulcer in Benin was to track the treatment itinerary of patients, the main phases of traditional treatment, cost and efficacy of such treatment, and the knowledge and skills of traditional practitioners. A total of 20 traditional practitioners, 35 patients treated by traditional therapy, and 35 patients treated by surgery were included. Findings showed that both traditional and surgical treatment was sought at a late stage. Reasons determining the type of treatment chosen included religion, access to adequate care facilities, constraints involved in surgical treatment, duration of hospitalization, and fear of scarring. The four main steps in traditional treatment were diagnosis, removal of necrotic tissue, wound care, and exorcism. The cost of traditional treatment was high not only in currency but also by payment in kind (eg., livestock and land). Although it is performed with patient consent, traditional treatment presents a number of risks. Information campaigns are necessary to inform populations about available treatments and the possible risks associated with each modality. Care centers must do more to lessen the constraints involved in surgical treatment both in terms of duration of hospitalization and cosmetic outcome.

Le traitement traditionnel de l'ulcere de Buruli au Benin

The purpose of this tra n s ve rs ve qualitat ive study on traditional treatment for Buruli ulcer in Benin was to track the tre atment itinera ry of pat i e n s ; the main phases of traditional treatment; cost and effi c a cy of such tre atment ; and the knowledge and skills of traditional practitioners. A total of 20 traditional practitioners; 35 patients treated by traditional therapy; and 35 patients treated by surgery were included. Findings showed that both traditional and surgical treatment was sought at a late stage. Reasons determining the type of tre atment chosen included religion; access to adequate care facilities; constraints involved in surgical treatment; duration of hospitalization; and fear of scarring. The four main steps in traditional treatment were diagnosis; removal of necrotic tissue; wound care; and exorcism. The cost of traditional treatment was high not only in c u rre n cy but also by payment in kind (e.g.; live s t o ck and land). Although it is perfo rmed with patient consent; t raditional tre atment presents a number of risks. Information campaigns are necessary to inform populations about available treatments and the possible risks associated with each modality. Care centers must do more to lessen the constraints involved in surgical treatment both in terms of duration of hospitalization and cosmetic outcome