Noma: a PubMed-based informetric analysis of a neglected tropical orofacial disease in Nigeria

Noma is an orofacial gangrenous infection commonly affecting malnourished children in the tropical region of the World, particularly the sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria is a sub-Saharan African country which is among the countries seriously affected by noma. In Nigeria, noma has been classified as a priority disease. However, only very little attention has been focused on noma research in Nigeria, unlike many other priority diseases. This study conducted an informetric analysis of research outputs on noma in Nigeria, using the PubMed database - a world-leading and authoritative database of medical literature. This study revealed that only 26 PubMed-indexed publications on noma (PONs), published between January 1990 and September 2021, were available. A trend analysis of these PONs showed that the average output (outputs from 1999 to 2020 = 23) rate per year (from 1990 to 2020 [31 years]) was 0.74 (23/31). Sokoto (n = 11), Oyo (n = 4) and Kebbi (n = 3) were the top three Nigerian states surveyed on noma in the included PONs. Only 12 publications had international co-authors, of which only few publications had co-authors affiliated with institutions in other African countries: South Africa - 5 publications; and Rwanda - 2 publications. Only two publications were funded. Also, the top five prolific Nigerian authors on noma in Nigeria were affiliated with Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto State, Nigeria. In conclusion, PONs by Nigerian authors is so meagre in quantity. This low output is an issue of medical concern. More research focused on noma in Nigeria is needed through funding and other research capacity-strengthening measures.