TY - JOUR
T1 - Noma disease among internally displaced persons in Northeast Nigeria
T2 - a retrospective descriptive study
AU - Abdullahi, Mohammed A.S.
AU - Balarabe, Muhammad R.
AU - Tyndall, Jennifer A.
AU - Alele, Faith O.
AU - Habib, Abdulrazaq G.
AU - Adegboye, Oyelola A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2024.
PY - 2024/1/1
Y1 - 2024/1/1
N2 - Background: Recently recognized by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease, Noma, an acute and destructive gangrenous disease affecting the gums and facial structures within the oral cavity, has a high mortality rate if untreated. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and impact of Noma among internally displaced populations in Northeastern Nigeria. Design: A retrospective study. Methods: This retrospective study investigates the prevalence and impact of Noma among internally displaced populations in Northeastern Nigeria. Noma is endemic in Northern Nigeria, Africa, and its occurrence has been linked to extreme poverty, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and inadequate healthcare – conditions exacerbated by the ongoing Boko Haram conflict. Results: The retrospective descriptive cross-sectional analysis of 17 cases reveals a median age of 8 years, with most of the patients being children who suffer significant social stigmas, such as difficulties in speaking, eating, and social integration, including reduced school attendance and marital prospects. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research into the etiology of Noma and its socio-economic impact. It emphasizes the necessity for early and effective intervention strategies, particularly in conflict-stricken areas with limited healthcare access.
AB - Background: Recently recognized by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease, Noma, an acute and destructive gangrenous disease affecting the gums and facial structures within the oral cavity, has a high mortality rate if untreated. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and impact of Noma among internally displaced populations in Northeastern Nigeria. Design: A retrospective study. Methods: This retrospective study investigates the prevalence and impact of Noma among internally displaced populations in Northeastern Nigeria. Noma is endemic in Northern Nigeria, Africa, and its occurrence has been linked to extreme poverty, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and inadequate healthcare – conditions exacerbated by the ongoing Boko Haram conflict. Results: The retrospective descriptive cross-sectional analysis of 17 cases reveals a median age of 8 years, with most of the patients being children who suffer significant social stigmas, such as difficulties in speaking, eating, and social integration, including reduced school attendance and marital prospects. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research into the etiology of Noma and its socio-economic impact. It emphasizes the necessity for early and effective intervention strategies, particularly in conflict-stricken areas with limited healthcare access.
KW - conflicts
KW - internally displaced persons
KW - neglected tropical diseases
KW - Noma
KW - poverty and malnutrition
KW - social stigma and disability
KW - sub-Saharan Africa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195984155&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/20499361241261269
DO - 10.1177/20499361241261269
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85195984155
SN - 2049-9361
VL - 11
SP - 1
EP - 6
JO - Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease
JF - Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease
ER -
