Health; Nutritional and Socio Cultural Status of the Nilotic Population in the Southern Sudan

ABSTRACT

This book presents the results of a large study realised between 1979 and 1984; in the Upper Nile State; on a significant sample of a southern Sudanese population belonging to three Nilotic tribes (Dinka; Nuer and Shilluk). In 1979; these populations still lived in a very traditional way and were subject to rapid changes due to the construction of the 365 km long Jonglei canal. The study was interrupted by the civil war; in February 1984. This book is divided into four distinct parts The population and the environment are described in the first part. The objectives of the studies and their methodology are presented in the second part. The results of a cross-sectional study (300 children; men and women) and of a longitudinal study of 400 pregnant women and their newborn child until the age of three years are presented in the third part. The anthropometrical; clinical; biological and nutritional data are included.The traditional way of life; beliefs as well as the socio-cultural aspects (customs; social activities; magic; dreams; death; relationship and freedom; libido or sexual desires; diseases; and collective activities) are described in the fourth part. Genealogical trees of two families; one a Dinka and another Shilluk (from the 13th century); are presented in Annexe. This book can serves as a guide for medical doctors; public health workers; epidemiologists; NGO-s... and for comparatives studies in Africa