Noma: training of health workers at national and district levels on skin-NTDs
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Noma (cancrum oris) is a serious gangrenous disease of the mouth and face, mainly affecting children aged 2 to 6 years in sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite substantial knowledge gaps, it is reported to be linked with malnutrition, poor oral hygiene, immunosuppression, and living in extreme poverty situations.
This course addresses epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and public health considerations, including the human rights perspective of noma.
Photo credits: Hilfsaktion Noma e.V: https://www.afro.who.int/publications/information-brochure-early-detection-and-management-noma
This course is also available in:
Français – Português – Hausa – हिन्दी, हिंदी
What you’ll learn
Describe the epidemiology and pathogenesis of noma
Describe the clinical aspects
Explain how the diagnosis is made
Explain how to treat noma
Summarize the socioeconomic impact, including the human rights perspective, and the appropriate public health interventions.
Course contents
Module 1: Introduction:
By the end of this module, you will be able to understand noma and the linkage between noma and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Module 2: Epidemiology and pathogenesis:
By the end of this module, you will be able to describe the disease burden and the geographical distribution of noma; understand the age distribution; the associated risk factors of noma; and the pathogenesis of noma.
Module 3: Clinical features and diagnosis:
By the end of this module, you will be able to make a clinical diagnosis of noma in its different stages; list the conditions to be ruled out in the different diagnosis; and describe the potential complication and sequelae of noma.
Module 4: Treatment:
By the end of this module, you will be able to understand the available treatment and intervention options for each stage; understand the sequela care and rehabilitation of noma survivors.
Module 5: Public health and human rights considerations:
By the end of this module, you will be able to explain the socioeconomic including human rights issues and psychological impact of noma; and explain the public health interventions to prevent and control the disease.
