Wherever there is poverty - active and passive case finding to address neglect of noma in Mozambique.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Noma is a rapidly progressing, disfiguring orofacial necrotising infection that primarily affects children living in poverty. To date, there are no primary data reporting noma in Mozambique. Our aim was to collect empirical evidence on the ongoing presence of noma in Zambezia Province, Mozambique, for the first time.

Methods

We used a passive case search approach at the maxillofacial and paediatric wards of the reference hospital to identify acute noma cases. To find noma survivors, we conducted a community-based active case search, showing posters of noma sequelae to crowds of potential informants. We visited 12 of the 22 districts in the province and administered a questionnaire to each confirmed noma case.

Results

Over a 5-week period, two acute noma c

SUBMITTER: Ribes M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12481412 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature