Background: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for death and disability globally. Its prevalence is increasing worldwide especially in low and middle income countries. It is considered a silent killer because it has no specific symptoms and thus can go unnoticed for many years, only presenting for the first time with serious complications. The situation of undiagnosed hypertension in Sudan has not been fully investigated before. Objective: To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in the rural communities of River Nile State (RNS), Sudan and to assess the associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study, in which 1099 volunteer adult participants from the rural communities in RNS, not known to be hypertensive, were included. Blood pressure was measured as well as anthropometric measurements. The WHO stepwise approach for non-communicable diseases surveillance was used for data collection. A p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 461 males (41.9%) and 683 females (58.1%). The male to female ratio was 1:1.4. The age range was 18-90 years, with a mean age of 39.6 (STD ± 15.9). The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 38.2%, with a prevalence of 36.7% among males and 39.3% among females. There were significant associations between undiagnosed hypertension and increasing age, obesity, illiteracy and diabetes mellitus (p50.05). Conclusion: This study uncovers a hidden epidemic of a silent killer in the rural communities of RNS. Urgent interventions are required to address this serious health epidemic.

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Undiagnosed diabetes constitutes a challenge for health providers, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance among adults in rural communities in River Nile State, north Sudan. In a cross-sectional community-based study, blood glucose, anthropometric, demographic and clinical history data were obtained from 1111 individuals from 35 villages. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 2.6% (29 individuals); glucose intolerance was detected in 1.3% (14 individuals). Classic symptoms (polydipsia, polyuria and weight loss) were present in around half of the participants but were not more prevalent in those with diabetes. Lower educational level, increasing age, hypertension and unexplained weight loss were significant risk factors for diabetes. Other variables (obesity, sex, occupation, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking) were not significant risk factors. There is a low prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and glucose intolerance in the rural population of River Nile State.

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Background:Child malnutrition is a major public health problem in developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition among children <5 years in River Nile state (RNS) in North Sudan.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional household survey was done in four localities in RNS. Using Multistage Cluster sampling, 1635 under 5 years' children had participated. Pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measures were used during data collection. The analysis was done using SPSS software program version 21 and World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro 2005 software. Indices were reported in z-scores and compared with the WHO 2005 reference population to determine the nutritional status of children.Results:Among 1,447 surveyed children, the prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 42.5%, 32.7%, and 21%, respectively. Stunting was highest among the 48–60 months of age group (82.5%). Boys had poorer indicators of undernutrition in comparison to girls. Geographically stunting was more prevalent in Berber locality. Infectious diseases (gastroenteritis and respiratory symptoms) and incomplete vaccination were significantly associated with wasting (P = 0.007, P = 0.013, and P = 0.008). Poor socioeconomic status (P = 0.043), poorer household sanitation (P = 0.022), large family size, lack of family spacing, and infants weaned suddenly were regarded as risk factors for undernutrition.Conclusion:There was a high prevalence of undernutrition in the 4th and 5th year of life in RNS population, with significant gender imbalance. Our survey highlighted the importance of urgent need to improve child health in this region.

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Tuberculosis is a major health problem in Sudan, a country that carries 11-15% of the tuberculosis burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis in River Nile State and to compare treatment outcomes with WHO recommended indicators. A descriptive study was conducted on data collected from records of 1221 patients registered at tuberculosis management units over the 3 years 2011-2013. The mean age of cases was 37.7 (SD 21.5) years and 65.9% were males; 76.3% were pulmonary tuberculosis and 36.9% were sputum smear-positive cases. Average values for all outcome indicators were suboptimal, notably rates of case notification (30.8 per 100 000), case detection (10.3%), treatment success (79.6%), treatment failure (3.0%), default (8.1%) and death (8.0%). Of the 264 patients tested for HIV, 3.8% were positive. Outcome indicators for the national tuberculosis control programme are lagging behind the required targets. RÉSUMÉ La tuberculose est un problème de santé majeur au Soudan où elle représente 11 à 15 % de la charge de la maladie dans la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. La présente étude avait pour objectif de décrire l'épidémiologie de la tuberculose dans l'État du Nil et de comparer les résultats du traitement à l'aide d'indicateurs recommandés par l'OMS. Une étude descriptive a été menée à partir de données extraites des dossiers de 1221 patients admis dans des unités de prise en charge de la tuberculose sur une période de trois ans (2011)(2012)(2013). L'âge moyen des cas était de 37,7 ans (ET 21,5) et 65,9 % étaient de sexe masculin ; 76,3 % étaient atteints de tuberculose pulmonaire et 36,9 % étaient des cas à frottis positifs. Les valeurs moyennes pour tous les indicateurs de résultats étaient sous-optimales, notamment les taux de notification (30,8 pour 100 000), de dépistage de cas (10,3 %), de guérison (79,6 %), d'échec thérapeutique (3,0 %), d'abandon (8,1 %) et de décès (8,0 %). Sur les 264 patients dépistés pour le VIH, 3,8 % étaient positifs. Les indicateurs de résultats pour le programme national de lutte antituberculeuse accusent un retard par rapport aux objectifs fixés. 2011-