Background: The study determined the community perceptions, preferred treatment methods, and compliance with the WHO Recommended Control Regime for Buruli ulcer disease by respondents in Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria

Subjects and Methods: A total of 360 participants from 32 communities were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected using questionnaires as well as focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.

Results: The results showed a high level (93.9%) of knowledge of the disease in the studied communities. There were different perceptions among participants about the disease and the victims;(41.7%) perceived Buruli ulcer victims as those who have been bewitched, 11.1% saw them as people bitten by insects, 23.4% victims were people who were unable to take good care of their selves, 14.1% saw them as people with normal wound while 9.7% saw them as normal sick people in the community. It was found that self-medication (56.7%) was the first choice of treatment for Buruli ulcer disease in the studied communities, while (22.2%) of participants said sufferers resorted to herbal therapy before going to health facilities amid deteriorating conditions. There were strong associations (p≤ 0.05) between Age, Education, and occupation with an understanding of the disease with the exclusion of sex (p≥ 0.05). Further findings showed that most patients and health workers were aware of the prescribed protocol for control by the WHO and this greatly increased the management of the ulcer in studied communities. An in-depth interview further disclosed that the respondents identified two types of ulcers that determined the course of treatment/management. Patients with ulcers assumed to be caused by spirits or charms were taken to the traditional healer for treatment while ulcers not inflicted by spirits/charms were treated at home or in medical centers.

Conclusion: Misconceptions and wrong treatment methods were found to be obstacles to the management and control of Buruli ulcers in the studied endemic communities. Therefore, enhanced community health education will assist in the early identification of ulcers and prevent deformities. The need for health workers and community members in endemic communities to be properly sensitized/educated in other to quickly identify the disease and adhere to recommended by the WHO is highlighted.