02683nas a2200313   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001700055653002600072653001700098653002800115653001700143100001100160700001200171700001400183700001200197700001400209700001400223700001600237700001500253700001700268700001100285700001200296245009800308856026000406300000800666520168100674022001402355       2024                            d  bScopeMed10aNoma disease10agangrenous stomatitis10aCancrum Oris10aspecial group education10alife quality1 aBala M1 aBello A1 aBraimah R1 aTaiwo A1 aOgbeide M1 aJaafaru R1 aAbdullahi M1 aAbubakar M1 aAbdulazeez S1 aFawa A1 aBello M00aThe noma survivors; should they be educated as a special target group? A crossectional study.  uhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mujtaba-Bala/publication/384021746_The_noma_survivors_should_they_be_educated_as_a_special_target_group_A_crossectional_study/links/66ebe90597a75a4b4836176e/The-noma-survivors-should-they-be-educated-as-a-special-targe  a1-53 a<p><strong>Background: </strong>The noma disease survivors present with varying degrees of facial deformities that makes it harder for them to form relationship with friends, peers, and teachers. This study aimed to present the analysis of education challenges faced by Noma survivors and explore on whether they should be educated as a special target group.</p>

<p><strong>Material and method:</strong> This was a crossectional study conducted over 2 months among Noma survivors and their caregivers. Information such as sociodemographics, duration of noma defect, school enrollment history, challenges faced and willingness to be enrolled in a noma special institution were obtained. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 69 Noma survivors were enrolled and there were 38 (55.1%) males and 31 (44.9%) females in the age range of 6-15 years and a mean±SD of 9.94±3.41 years. The duration of the defect range from 2-11 years, only 18 (26.1%) of them were enrolled in schools and majority 16 (88.9%) reported bullying as their main challenge. The reason for school nonenrolment was because of Noma defect in 27 (52.9%), No school 12 (23.5%), No teachers 4 (7.8%) and financial problems 8 (15.7%). All the caregivers were ready to release their children to a special Noma children school if available and majority 32 (46.4%) of the children want to be teachers.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The education challenges faced by Noma survivors include bullying, lack of schools, lack of teachers and financial constraint. Establishing free special institution could significantly improve their quality of life.</p>
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