Community Approach to Fight against Noma in a Developing Country: The Case of Senegal

Background: Noma is a disease of early childhood and is unknown to the health staff and community. Prevention and care become difficult. To help eliminate this disease in the population of Senegal, we conducted a study, which aim was to improve the fight against noma in our country. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from 2012 to 2014 at the district level health, regions of Saint-Louis, Matam, Kaolack, and Diourbel. The activities focused on pleading, training, sensitization, epidemiological supervision, and management of cases. Results: The pleading focused on all the district local authorities. For the training, 94.6% of people from rural areas: Community health workers, traditional birth attendants, relays, traditional healers, nurses, and midwives. Awareness concerned 2500 persons consisting of mothers, members of social associations, and women’s groups. As regards epidemiological supervision, 96.5% of detected cases of noma and necrotizing gingivitis were from rural areas. 31 cases of noma were diagnosed from 2012 to 2014 including 6 in 2012, 15 in 2013, and 20 cases in 2014. The vast majority of these cases (75%) were managed at the level of health boxes at the beginning of the disease. Conclusion: The management of noma based on pleading, training, staff awareness of health, community, and people (especially mothers) can greatly contribute to screening and treatment of cases. The approach to fight against this disease in developing countries can be recommended for a better understanding of the pathology to eliminate it.