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Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rising and needs adequate knowledge for its control. Objectives: The study aim was to identify prevalence of diabetes, population`s knowledge, their attitude towards hypoglycemia event and factors associated with the level of knowledge. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in a rural area of Sudan. The study population was 3316 adult males /females above 18 years of age. Structured questionnaire was used including eighteen questions to assess the knowledge about diabetes. Knowledge scores were recorded into adequate knowledge and inadequate knowledge. Attitude of diabetic and non-diabetic population was compared. Seven independent variables were included in logistic regression model to present the factors which contributed to adequate knowledge about diabetes. Results: The study included 1423 (42.9%) males and 1893(57.1%) females. The prevalence of diabetes in rural population was 11.2%. Adequate knowledge about diabetes was 15%. Genetics and nutrition habits were recognized as risk factors of diabetes by the population, 57.2% & 46.9% respectively. Dizziness as a sign of hypoglycemia was mentioned (38.1%) followed by rigors (24.4%), sweating (21.4%) and palpitation (17.1%). Retinopathy (31.1%) and cardiovascular diseases (16.0%) were known by the study population as complications of diabetes. The response of diabetic population towards hypoglycemia event was significantly higher compared to non-diabetic, p-value 0.001. Gender, age, education, family history of diabetes, being a diabetic and smoker were contributory factors to knowledge. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in rural population of Sudan. Knowledge about diabetes is low. A community based educational program is needed.

Background:Hypertension is emerging as an alarming public-health problem causes organ damage.Objectives:To identify prevalence of hypertension and predictor factors among rural population in four states in Sudan.Methods:A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in sixteen rural areas in Sudan during April 2012. A total of 3020 adult were interviewed using structured questionnaire and blood pressure was measured before and after the interview. Hypertension was taken as ≥ 140 mmHg and ≥ 90 mmHg for systole and diastole respectively.Analysis:Descriptive statistic was presented; Sex and mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were tested using ANOVA for individuals on antihypertensive medication. Predictor factors to hypertension were tested by logistic regression.Results:Prevalence of hypertension among rural population was 15.8%. Overall means of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 128.6±17.7 and 81.5±11.6 respectively while the means among hypertensive individuals was154.74 ±14.4 and 97.98±8.4 respectively Known hypertensive individuals were 20.1%; out of whom 71.7% were hypertensive and 22.4% have Target Organ Damage. Those on anti-hypertensive medications were 76.4% and normotensive were 55.1%. Individuals having both diabetes and hypertension were 3.3% and 80.2% were hypertensive. Log regression model showed age, smoking, diabetes and family hypertension were predictors of hypertension by 3.6%, 34.9%, 49.7% and 56.8% respectively (P-value <0.05).Conclusion:Prevalence of hypertension among rural Sudan was 15.8%. Family history was the strongest predictor of hypertension.

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Background: Self-medication is a personal self-initiated behaviour of diagnosis of a disease and self-treatment of its symptoms and signs. Objective: To identify the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and the diseases commonly treated with antibiotics, the most commonly used antibiotics, the sources of obtaining it and the predictors of self-medication with antibiotics. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Khartoum Locality, Khartoum State, Sudan during April 2018. Methods: 246 adults (130 males, 116 females) over 18 years were included in the study. A closed-ended, pretested and pre-validated questionnaire was used to interview the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 23.0. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables and figures. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of self-medication with antibiotics. Ethical approval and voluntarily signed consent were obtained prior to embarking on the study. Results: 148(60.2%) participants practiced self-medication with antibiotics, 111(75%) of whom obtained the antibiotics over the counter in community pharmacies. The most commonly used antibiotic was amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (38.5%). The major reason behind taking antibiotics without prescription was long distances to healthcare facilities (43.2%). The commonest symptom which encouraged self-medication with antibiotics was abdominal pain (27%). Females were 3.55 times more likely to use self-medication with antibiotics than males. Participants who lacked health insurance cards were 2.65 times more likely to practice self-medication with antibiotics. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics is alarmingly high in Khartoum Locality. Over the counter purchase of antibiotics was the main route of self-medication. Gender and lack of health insurance were significant predictors of self-medication. Mass education through different media and policy reform are recommended.

Anthropometric measurements are used to assess growth of children which is affected by different biological and environmental factors. The importance of the period after the first 1000 days of life has been identified in the attempt to restore normal growth and body functions. The objectives of this study are to assess the growth and nutritional status of school children in Khartoum locality, Khartoum State, Sudan and to verify socioeconomic status and sex as factors influencing growth of children. This is a cross-sectional school-based study including 390 children, males and females, of ages between 5-12 years (60-44 months) from private and public schools. Anthropometric measurements were taken by standardized techniques and calibration and age was calculated in months. Using WHO's Anthroplus and SPSS, BMI for age z-scores (BAZ), height for age z-scores (HAZ) and weight for age z-scores (WAZ) were calculated and descriptive and analytical statistics were generated and tested. According to the WHO reference, 3.3% of the studied children were severely thin, 6.9% were thin, 8.7% were overweight and 6.7% were obese. The children showed low mean BAZ and a similar mean HAZ compare to WHO reference. Children in public schools showed significantly lower means compared to those in the private schools in all indicators; BAZ, HAZ and WAZ. Girls showed significantly higher means compared to boys with a significant occurrence of overweight and obesity among girls especially in private schools. Weak negative correlation between HAZ and age and weak positive correlation between HAZ and BAZ were detected. Further studies and tailored interventions are recommended.

Background: Health-care workers are having highest probability of being infected with HBV.Objective: To determine conditional probability of sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among health care workers in White Nile State, Sudan. Methods:A cross sectional study design with analytical approach was used. Three hundred eighty five health care workers were selected randomly. An interview was carried using a pre-tested questionnaire and five ml venous blood samples were consented. Blood samples were tested for Anti-HB core total, HBsAg and HBeAg. Conditional probabilities of being a carrier and highly infective were calculated regarding departments, occupation of HCWs, marital status and working duration in hospital.Results: Out of the total study population, 230 (59.7%) were positive for anti-HB core total. Out of 230 HCWs, 62 (27.1%) were positive for HBsAg. Out of 62 HCWs, 29 (46.8%) were positive for HBeAg. In overall, 16% of study population was carriers and 7.5% were highly infective. HCWs in surgical and Obstetrics & gynaecology had 0.50 conditional probability of being carriers and highly infective. Laboratory technicians had 0.64 conditional probability of being carriers and highly infective. HCWs with working duration in hospitals up to 5 years had 0.63 probability of being carriers and highly infective. Conclusion:Prevalence and conditional probabilities of HBV markers among health care worker in White Nile State were high. HCWs in Surgical and Obstetrics & gynaecology, Laboratory technicians and HCWs with working duration up to 5 years are carriers and highly infective. Periodical screening and vaccination of HCWs are recommended.

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