Introduction Contemporary literature has revealed that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes acute sialadenitis and related symptoms, such as discomfort, pain, swelling, and secretory dysfunction in salivary glands. The secretory dysfunction is due to SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced xerostomia and other associated clinical courses such as sore tongue, mucosal ulcer, and gingivitis in the oral cavity. Furthermore, it has been reported that COVID-19 causes the development of other oral manifestations. Materials and methods A prospective clinical follow-up (a prevalent cohort) study was conducted to identify the possible oral manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients admitted toat the Eka General Hospital COVID-19 treatment center. Furthermore, the study aimed to calculate the prevalence rate of oral clinical courses in the cohorts. The study consisted of two follow-up phases: Hospital and patient-home-based. Results A total of 55 patients (36 males and 19 females) met the inclusion criteria and were followed for 7.5 weeks. The 3.5 weeks hospital-based prospective follow-up study documented an 18% (n = 10) prevalence rate of oral clinical courses among the cohorts. Twelve oral symptoms appeared in these ten patients. The manifested oral symptoms were oral mucosal lesions (n = 6), xerostomia (n = 5), and thickening of saliva (n = 1). The oral mucosal lesions per se consisted of aphthous lesions (n = 3), candidiasis (n = 1), geographic tongue (n = 1), and localized gingivitis (n = 1). The four weeks’ home-based follow-up study disclosed four newly manifested oral symptoms: hemorrhagic crust, bulla, buccal mucositis, and petechiae. These manifestations appeared among six patients (four males and two females) who had not manifested any oral symptoms during the hospital-based follow-up. Accordingly, the overall prevalence of oral clinical courses among patients presented with SARS-CoV-2 is raised from 18% (n = 10) to 29% (n = 16). Similarly, the number of clinical courses increased from 12 to 16 after four additional weeks of follow-up. Discussion The study’s findings suggest the importance of initiating oral health care for patients with COVID-19. Therefore, multidisciplinary healthcare approaches should be delivered to assure optimal health outcomes. Accordingly, oral health professionals must be a substantial part of the interdisciplinary approach in caring for patients with COVID-19.

Introduction Noma is a disfiguring gangrenous disease of the orofacial tissue and predominantly affects malnourished children. The tissue gangrene or necrosis starts in the mouth and eventually spreads intra-orally with the destruction of soft and hard tissues. If not controlled, the natural course of the condition leads to a perforation through the skin of the face, creating a severe cosmetic and functional defect, which often affects the mid-facial structures. Furthermore, the course of the disease is fulminating, and without timely intervention, it is fatal. Materials and methods A retrospective clinical cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the sequela and severity of Noma in Ethiopia. Medical records of patients diagnosed with Noma were reviewed. The medical files were obtained from Yekatik 12 Hospital, Facing Africa, and the Harar project,—the three major Noma treatment centers in Ethiopia. The severity of facial tissue damage and the extent of mouth trismus (ankylosis) were examined based on the NOIPTUS score. Results A total of 163 medical records were reviewed. Of those, 52% (n = 85) and 48% (n = 78) have reported left-sided and right-sided facial defects, respectively. The facial defects ranged from minor to severe tissue damage. In other words, 42.3% (n = 69), 30.7% (n = 50), 19% (n = 31), and 8% (n = 13) have reported Grade-2 (25–50%), Grade-3 (50–75%), Grade-1 (0–25%), and Grade-4 (75–100%) tissue damages respectively. Cheek, upper lip, lower lip, nose, hard palate, maxilla, oral commissure, zygoma, infra-orbital region, mandible, and chin are oftentimes the major facial anatomic regions affected by the disease in the individuals identified in our review. Complete loss of upper lip, lower lip, and nose were also identified as a sequela of Noma. Discussion The mortality rate of Noma is reported to vary between 85% and 90%. The few survivors suffer from disfigurement and functional impairment affecting speech, breathing, mastication, and/or even leading to changes in vision. Often, the aesthetic damage becomes a source of stigma, leading to isolation from society, as well as one’s family. Similarly, our review found a high level of facial tissue damage and psychiatric morbidity.

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Objectives Noma is an Orofacial disfiguring disease that affects the oral cavity and mid-facial structures. If left untreated, the condition is fatal. Noma creates severe cosmetic and functional defects among survivors, which leads to psychiatric and social problems. However, there is limited data on psychosocial and functional sequelae(morbidity) associated with the condition. This study aimed to assess the psychosocial and functional morbidity among patients presented with non-treated Noma-induced facial disfigurement in Ethiopia. The study also investigated patients' postsurgical outcome expectations from the awaiting surgical procedure. Results A total of 32 Noma cases (19 females & 13 males) waiting for the upcoming surgical campaigns were involved in this study. The study participants reported severe social (Likert’s score = 2.8) and psychological (Likert’s score = 3.0) morbidity. The functional limitation was moderate (Likert’s score = 2.9). Except for 15% (n=5), the remaining 85% (n=27) of the study participants expected that the surgery wouldhelp them to overcome the disease-induced psychosocial, functional, and aesthetic problems.

Introduction Noma is a polymicrobial gangrenous facial disease affecting people living in the most impoverished areas of low- and middle-income countries. If left untreated, the disease is fatal or else severely disfigure people with the condition. The compromised immune system, poor oral hygiene, measle infection, diarrheal disease, inaccessibility to health education and proper medical care, and lack of a balanced diet and good sanitary facilities are found to be some of the predisposing factors for the development and progression of the disease. Furthermore, debilitating diseases like malaria and measles were considered as significant precursors to Noma. Materials and Method A mix of cross-sectional and case-control study approaches was conducted to assess the risk factors of Noma in Ethiopia. The raw data of the cases were obtained from Yekatik 12 Hospital, Facing Africa, and the Harar project Ethiopia. Three controls were selected per single case. The Odd ratio (ORs) and Chi-square test were calculated to rule out the statistical significance of the association observed between the factors and the disease. Results A total of 64 cases were selected for the case-control study. Considering the 1:3 case to control ratio, 192 matching controls were identified. Malaria, helminths, measle, diarrheal diseases, and living with domestic animals were found to be risk factors for Noma with a respective p-value < 0.01. Contrarily, the analysis has identified vaccination (p < 0.01) as a protective factor. Discussion Noma/face of poverty is mostly preventable by providing proper nutrition, sanitary and water facilities, awareness about the disease, oral health education, and vaccinations. Poverty-related diseases such as malaria, helminths infection, measle, diarrheal diseases, and unfavorable living conditions were identified to be the risk factor for Noma. As such the disease is truly preventable. Prevention of the disease can be achieved through promoting overall awareness of the disease, poverty reduction, improved nutrition, and promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 3-6 months of life. Furthermore, optimum prenatal care, timely immunizations against common childhood diseases, initiating vaccination, and improving the social living conditions are the other preventive mechanisms. Moreover, long-lasting economic development should be considered to effectively and sustainably prevent the disease.

This paper showcases the conflict resolution mechanisms used by populations indigenous to the Gamo areas of Ethiopia. The Gamo system represents a time-honored, informal, and socially equitable method of resolving types of personal and business disputes found among the general populace. This research work investigates and demonstrates the utility of the Gamo customary method for addressing perceptual and behavioral elements of conflict that are present in all societies across the country. To attain this objective, the article employed both secondary and primary data sources. Both primary and secondary data were organized thematically and analyzed through systematic interpretation and triangulation of various sources. The article found that conflicts are manifested at a family, neighborhood, and clan (Dere) levels with varying magnitude. The indigenous conflict resolution institution among Gamo has three stages of conflict resolution. The higher (Dere), middle (Guta), and lower stages. Conflict resolution at the higher and middle stages is used to lead by elders from the Gamo traditional political system. Conflicts at the lower stage are used to be resolved by elders selected by the disputant parties. The three stages of conflict resolution are highly interconnected and refer to cases from one setting to another. From a positional standpoint, this study proposes the indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms among Gamo and draws out lessons for Ethiopia and other countries to build sustainable peace.

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