Prevalence of significant depressive symptoms and associated factors among facially disfigured pediatric Noma patients in Nigeria: A single-centre cross-sectional study

Olalekan Vincent Ata, Ruth Ifeoluwa Oladele, Ifeoluwa Adetula, Deborah Iyanuoluwa Akinrinde and Kehinde David Arokoyo

PLOS Mental Health, 2026, vol. 3, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Noma is a neglected tropical disease that causes severe facial disfigurement and significant morbidity, yet there is limited evidence regarding the psychological well-being of affected children. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and identify associated factors among pediatric Noma patients attending the Noma Children Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 244 pediatric patients aged 6–16 years who had been facially disfigured by Noma and were undergoing rehabilitation or awaiting surgery. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to assess depressive symptoms. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of high depressive symptoms. Statistical significance was set at p

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pmen00:0000583

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000583

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