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Farley E, Bala HM, Lenglet A, Mehta U, Abubakar N, Samuel J, de Jong A, Bil K, Oluyide B, Fotso A, Stringer B, Cuesta JG, Venables E. 'I treat it but I don't know what this disease is': a qualitative study on noma (cancrum oris) and traditional healing in northwest Nigeria. Int Health 2020; 12:28-35. [PMID: 31504549 PMCID: PMC6964223 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihz066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Noma, a neglected disease mostly affecting children, with a 90% mortality rate if untreated, is an orofacial gangrene that disintegrates the tissues of the face in <1 wk. Noma can become inactive with early stage antibiotic treatment. Traditional healers, known as mai maganin gargajiya in Hausa, play an important role in the health system and provide care to noma patients. Methods We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with caretakers who were looking after noma patients admitted at the Noma Children's Hospital and 15 traditional healers in their home villages in Sokoto state, northwest Nigeria. We explored perceptions of noma, relationship dynamics, healthcare practices and intervention opportunities. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and translated. Manual coding and thematic analysis were utilised. Results Traditional healers offered specialised forms of care for specific conditions and referral guidance. They viewed the stages of noma as different conditions with individualised remedies and were willing to refer noma patients. Caretakers trusted traditional healers. Conclusions Traditional healers could play a crucial role in the early detection of noma and the health-seeking decision-making process of patients. Intervention programmes should include traditional healers through training and referral partnerships. This collaboration could save lives and reduce the severity of noma complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Farley
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins Sans Frontières, Noma Children's Hospital, Mamarun Nufawa, Sokoto, Nigeria Sokoto, Nigeria.,Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hussaina Muhammad Bala
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins Sans Frontières, Noma Children's Hospital, Mamarun Nufawa, Sokoto, Nigeria Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Annick Lenglet
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Plantage Middenlaan 14, 1018 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ushma Mehta
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nura Abubakar
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins Sans Frontières, Noma Children's Hospital, Mamarun Nufawa, Sokoto, Nigeria Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Joseph Samuel
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins Sans Frontières, Noma Children's Hospital, Mamarun Nufawa, Sokoto, Nigeria Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Annette de Jong
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Plantage Middenlaan 14, 1018 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karla Bil
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Plantage Middenlaan 14, 1018 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bukola Oluyide
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins Sans Frontières, Noma Children's Hospital, Mamarun Nufawa, Sokoto, Nigeria Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Adolphe Fotso
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins Sans Frontières, Noma Children's Hospital, Mamarun Nufawa, Sokoto, Nigeria Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Beverley Stringer
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Lower Ground Floor, Chancery Exchange, 10 Furnival Street, London, UK
| | - Julita Gil Cuesta
- Médecins Sans Frontières-Operational Centre Brussels, Medical Department, 68 Rue de Gasperich, 1617, Luxembourg Operational Research Unit (LuxOR)
| | - Emilie Venables
- Médecins Sans Frontières-Operational Centre Brussels, Medical Department, 68 Rue de Gasperich, 1617, Luxembourg Operational Research Unit (LuxOR).,Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
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