Khalwa is one of the most ancient non-governmental educational institutions that are commonly found all over Sudan, playing a major role in the Sudanese society. The majority of Khalwa students are children. This study was part of a mixed-methods project, conducted by Khartoum Medical Students’ Association, aiming to investigate the health status of Khalwa students. It was a cross-sectional study, done in Mustafa Alfadni Khalwa, Sharg Al-Neel suburb in Khartoum State. The participants were clinically assessed by a doctor and data were collected by using a data entry tool made specially to screen for major infectious diseases among students. Results showed a mean age of 13.7 years. Most of the students (47.7%) were originally from Darfur, and 27.5% of them had only Khalwa education. Respiratory clinic results revealed that 10% were complaining of cough, and 3.4 % were diagnosed with pneumonia. Additionally, 44.6% of the students had Tinea capitis and 21% had scabies. On examination, 2.3% and 1.1% had mild splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, respectively. Infectious conjunctivitis and trachoma were reported among 11.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Blood films for malaria were positive in 51.3%. Macroscopic and microscopic hematuria was, respectively, evident among 13.4% and 10.8% of the participants. Stool examination results showed that 1.4% of the students had worms, 1.5% had ova and 18.8% had stool red blood cells. Infectious diseases are very common among Khalwa students and their living environment is facilitating the transmission of these diseases. agent control and sanitation improvement are crucial to decrease such infectious diseases.
Khalawi are non-governmental, traditional educational boarding institutions, widely scattered in Sudan. Many Khalawi are resource-limited with deficient feeding and poor housing conditions, which could seriously affect the students' health. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving all students of a Khalwa in Sharg Al-Neel Locality, Khartoum State. Demographic data was collected using a structured questionnaire with anthropometric measurements, along with laboratory and clinical assessments for anemia. The dietary behaviors of students were also assessed using Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software. A total of 131 students were included in this study. Their mean age was 13.7 ± 2.7 years, nearly half of them were from Darfur State in western Sudan, and the majority of them are primary school students. Upon assessment, many displayed serious symptoms and signs of anemia namely: conjunctival pallor, palmar pallor, fatigability, lightheadedness, and palpitation. Based on their hemoglobin testing, 95% were anemic, and 24% had severe anemia. Although 63.6% of them had normal body mass index BMI (4.5%), 11.4%, were found "severely thin" and "thin", respectively. Regarding their dietary habits, 46.8% of them consumed milk or milk products less than one time per day, while 20.6% did not consume milk products in the past 30 days. Moreover, 39.4%, 44.9%, and 39.4% did not consume any vegetables, fruits or fruit juice, respectively, in the past month. Students of Khalwa displayed poor dietary habits, which resulted in nutritional deficiencies. Programs must be directed towards improving the quality of diet provided at these schools.
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