Conference abstract
Epidemiological and demographic profile of patients with Noma in Nigeria, 1999 - 2015
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2018:8(62).09
Apr 2018.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2018.8.62.644
Archived on: 09 Apr 2018
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Keywords: Cancrum oris, Noma, Nigeria
Opening ceremony
Epidemiological and demographic profile of patients with Noma in Nigeria, 1999 - 2015
Assad Hassan1,&, Muhammad Balogun1, Mahmood Dalhat1
1Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
&Corresponding author
Assad Hassan, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
Introduction: Noma (Cancrum oris) is a severe acute gangrene of the tissues of the mouth and face that kills or disfigures its victims. Although rarely reported in developed countries, it is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence in Nigeria is estimated at 6.4 per 1000 children. We described the epidemiology and demographic characteristics of Noma surgical patients in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015.
Methods: we conducted a retrospective descriptive study using two data sources. We obtained data on Noma surgical patients for 1999 - 2015 from Noma Children's Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Variables analyzed were age, sex, nationality, and location of patients. In addition, we reviewed the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey to identify demographic characteristics of location of patients.
Results: a total of 1,182 Noma surgical patients were reported with a mean age of 22.4 ± 13.4 years. Those of age group 10 - 14 years were 209 (17.7%) and constituted majority of patients. Males were 670 (56.7%). Nigerians were 1170 (99.0%) out of which 909 (77.0%) came from five states. There is no access to improved drinking water in 78.1% of households in Kebbi. There is no practice of principles of infant and young child feeding in 99% of households in Zamfara. In Sokoto, 78.5% of females six years and above have no education. In Kano, 74.7% of children had not received measles immunization. In Katsina, 80.2% of households do not have soap and water for hand washing.
Conclusion: most patients came from five states in Northwest Nigeria. Northwest Nigeria has demographic risk factors that promote Noma. Access to safe drinking water, good child feeding practices, education of people to improve health seeking behavior, supplementary immunization and good oral and general hygiene should be improved in these areas.
