High burden of noma in the Gambella region of Ethiopia: a 12-year retrospective study on noma cases from the Facing Africa database

Background: Noma, an infectious disease, mainly affects impoverished children. This study retrospectively assessed noma's prevalence in Ethiopia using data from the Facing Africa database and the 2022 United Nations Development Programme poverty index report.

Methods: A thorough review of medical records spanning 2007 to 2019 identified a total of 235 noma cases. A standardized data extraction template was employed to systematically gather pertinent clinical and demographic data for subsequent analysis. Prevalence rates were calculated nationally and regionally for both the general population and children aged ≤10 y.

Results: The analysis revealed estimated national prevalence rates of 0.65 per 100 000 individuals at risk and 1.9 per 100 000 children aged <10 y at risk. The Gambela region exhibited the highest prevalence rate (11.2 per 100 000), whereas the Benshangul Gumuz region had the lowest (0.25 per 100 000). Similar patterns were observed among children aged ≤10 y, with the Gambela and Benshangul Gumuz regions reporting rates of 32.9 and 0.74 per 100 000, respectively.

Conclusions: The study highlights noma's significant impact on children aged <10 y in Ethiopia, especially in the Gambella region. It offers crucial baseline data to assist public health professionals, policymakers and healthcare providers in formulating evidence-based strategies to combat noma and improve affected individuals' well-being.