Ethnographic study of Buruli ulcer wound management practices in a traditional therapeutic setting in Ghana
Our findings suggest that the traditional healer enjoyed substantial public legitimacy from his clients due to his perceived interest in helping affected individuals achieve cures using culturally and financially appropriate ways to manage wounds. However, we also observed the use of non-sterile procedures and unregulated preparations, which may be potentially deleterious. The willingness of the traditional healer to collaborate with the formal healthcare system to meet the health needs of people with wounds could form the basis for future collaborative approaches between the two healthcare systems to address inequities regarding clients' access to care.
Authors
- Stephen L. Walker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2034-8376)
- Jacob Novignon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4718-9328)
- Anthony Ablordey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4486-0286)
- Adwoa Asante-Poku (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8929-193X)
- Dorothy Yeboah‐Manu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1663-6287)
- Richard Odame Phillips (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8992-0222)
- Ean Amon
- Michael Marks (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7585-4743)
- Jennifer Palmer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-722X)
- Catherine Pitt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4967-8966)
- Richard Adjei Akuffo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5778-1472)
- Daniel Okyere (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8848-8974)
- Mirgissa Kaba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8093-5900)
- Abigail Agbanyo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3186-4242)
- Rachel L. Pullan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9844-1362)
- Eric Koka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9683-1444)
- Yaw Ampem Amoako (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4642-789X)
- Endalamaw Gadisa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5179-6278)
- Collins Ahorlu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8116-3984)
- Saba M. Lambert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4376-5495)
- Ruth Dede Tuwor (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8864-7520)
- Edmond Kwaku Ocloo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9185-9756)
- Adelaide Fokuoh-Boadu
- Ishaque Mintah Siam
- Tara B. Mtuy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3436-0162)
- Miriam Gborglah
- Emmanuel Afreh Kyei
Institutions
- University of Cape Coast (GH)
- University of Ghana (GH)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (GH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal for Equity in Health
- Published
- 2025-10-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02640-x
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.35
Funders
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Addis Ababa University
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana