Epidemiology and Temporal Dynamics of Heck's Disease Among Kano Children, Northern Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61172/vgkz1h97Keywords:
Heck's, Temporal trends, NigeriaAbstract
Background: Heck's disease (multifocal epithelial hyperplasia) is a benign oral condition caused by human papillomavirus types 13 and 32, primarily affecting children in resource-limited settings. Epidemiological data on Heck's disease in northern Nigeria are scarce. This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic patterns and temporal trends of Heck's disease among paediatric patients in Kano, northern Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective hospital-based descriptive analysis was conducted using records from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, over a span of nine years (2015–2023). Data on age, sex, ethnicity, geographical location, and date of diagnosis were collected from patients with clinically confirmed Heck's disease. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic characteristics, while temporal and spatial patterns were examined to identify disease trends and geographical clustering.
Results: Data from 43 paediatric patients aged between 3 and 14 years were retrieved and analyzed. The 6–8 years age group represented the largest proportion (60.5%). Cases predominantly originated from urban local government areas, with Kumbotso and Gwale each accounting for 20.9% of cases. Ethnic distribution showed a marked predominance of Hausa ethnicity. Temporally, the data showed a fluctuating pattern in annual case numbers, with a clear rise observed in the most recent years, reaching the highest level in 2023. On a monthly scale, November exhibited the highest incidence (14.0%). No statistically significant associations were found between sex and geographical distribution (p = 0.999) or age distribution across sexes (p = 0.942).
Conclusion: This study describes distinct age-specific vulnerability, urban geographical clustering, and a steady increase in case numbers over time. It calls for seasonally timed, culturally appropriate preventive strategies and enhanced surveillance in Kano.
Keywords: Heck's disease, multifocal epithelial hyperplasia, oral papillomavirus, Nigeria, epidemiology, temporal trends
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