RESUMEN
Aims: To identify the prevalence of hypertensions, socio demographic characteristics, risk factor and awareness of the study population about hypertension in Khartoum Locality.Study Design: A descriptive community-based cross-sectional study.Place of Study: Khartoum locality, Sudan.Methodology:A total of 587 adult participants were interviewed using structured close ended questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured considering hypertension as ≥ 140 mmHg and ≥ 90 mmHg for systole and diastole blood pressure respectively. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and the cutoff points were derived from World Health Organization (WHO) reference criteria to classify BMI as normal, overweight and obese. Chi square test was used to assess the association of socio demographic characteristics and risk factors with hypertensive population.Results: The prevalence of hypertensive accounted to 216 (36.8%). Thirty seven hypertensive participants (17%) were not aware about having hypertension, 86 (40%) were not aware about at least one complication of HTN and 117(54%) were not aware about the normal measures of blood pressure. The hypertensive participants were significantly high in the age group 25-64 years of age and above. Females were significantly having hypertension more than males, 155 (72%) versus 61 (28%). Married participants were significantly having hypertension more than non-married, 169(78%)and 47(22%) respectively. Unemployed participants were significantly having hypertension more than employed ones, 168 (77.8%) and 48 (22.2%) respectively.Risk factors among hypertensive participants were significantly found among overweight 67 (31%) and obese 115 (53%), positive family history of hypertension 139 (65%), increase salt in food149 (69.3%) and physical inactivity 166 (77%). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among Khartoum locality was high. Hypertensive population awareness was low. Age, sex, marital status, education andemployment weresignificantly associated with hypertensive population. Obesity and overweight, family history of hypertension, increase salt in food and physical inactivity were risk factors among hypertensive study population.Keywords: Socio-demographic;awareness;risk factors;hypertension;Khartoum locality.1. INTRODUCTIONHypertension is positioning the first rank of causes of deaths worldwide [1]. It is a public health problem with an increasing global prevalence, especially in low and middle income countries [2,3]. Attributable factors related to the increasing prevalenceof hypertension includefast population growth and ageing, consumption of unhealthy diets, lack of physical exercise, obesity and increasing life stresses[2]. In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of hypertension has been increasing continuously with prevalence varying widely between 15% and 70 % [4-6].Sudan witnessed rising prevalence of hypertension during the past few years [7,8]. Hypertension is the silent killer that screening and early detection could prevent or reduce its serious complications, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, congestive cardiac failure, sudden cardiac death, peripheral vascular disease and renal insufficiency [9].Most persons with hypertension are not aware of their hypertensive disease, which increase the chance of being presented for the first time to health institution by complications [10,11]. Awareness of population about hypertension is high in developed countries compared to developing nations. Awareness of population about their hypertensive status is an important determinant of adherence to anti-hypertensive medication as well as increasing the knowledge regarding the risk factors and modifying the negative lifestyle habits [11-13]. The increase prevalence of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa could be related to inadequate information about the disease that contributes to low awareness of population about their hypertensive status [14]. It was found thatawareness about hypertensive status was low among hypertensive population with low socio-demographic characteristics [15]. Few recent studies in Sudan were carried and did not emphasize the association of socio demographic characteristics to hypertensivestatus and the awareness of hypertensive adults about their hypertensiondisease.The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of hypertension, socio demographic characteristics, risk factor and awareness of the study population about hypertensionin Khartoum Locality.2.POPULATION AND METHODS2.1 Study DesignThis was a descriptive community-based cross-sectional study.2.2 Study AreaThe study was carried out in Khartoum locality which spread approximately across 176 square kilometers area and inhibited by 639,598 of the population. Khartoum locality is one of the seven localities in Khartoum State. It consists of six local administrative units and 157 blocks.
RESUMEN
Aims: This study is done to identify factors affecting under five mortality in Dar Alsalam area, Khartoum.Study Design:This is a community based cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study:The study was carried out in block 25 in Dar Alsalam area in Khartoum State during March-April 2012.Methodology: A total of 240 women in reproductive age who had an experienceof child death were interviewed. The data was collected by semi-final medical students using structured questionnaire. Two stage cluster sampling was used to select the households. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with under-five mortality.Results: Age of 156 (65%) of the deceased children was less than one year, while the age of 84 (35%) was between one and five years. The age of (25%) of the motherat the time of their child birth was below 18 years. The majority of the mothers (70.8%) were illiterate, 74.2% were working and 80% were married. Of the children 51.7 were males and for 74.2% of them the birth interval was less than 2 years. Only 16.7% were breast fed for more than two years while the rest (83.3%) were breast fed up to 2years. Only 34.2% of the deceased children had completed their vaccination, and 68.3% had been admitted to hospital more than once before death.Half of the families have piped water in their houses, in 75.8% of the houses there are pit latrines andin68.3% there is electricity supply. Logistic regression analysis identified incomplete vaccination, not employed mothers and having no latrines in the house as the factors related to the death of children between 1-5 years than those below one year.Conclusion: Under-five mortality in low socioeconomic areas is associated with Low family income, mother’s illiteracy, early marriage and absence of latrines in the houses.
RESUMEN
Background: HBV infection is an occupational disease where health care workers (HCW) are at high risk. Aim: To measure the sero-prevalence of Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg among HCWs in Public Hospitals, White Nile State, Sudan; 2013. Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital- based study was conducted among health care workers in Public Hospitals in White Nile State, Sudan; 2013. A sample of 385 HCWs was selected using two stage cluster sampling. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used. The HCWs signed the informed consent to fill the questionnaire and to draw 5 ml venous blood sample for HBV tests. Blood samples were investigated for Anti-HBcore Total. Positive blood specimens for Anti-HBcore Total were further investigated for HBsAg. Data was processed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 16. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric Z test for single proportion was used at 95% CL. Results: Out of 385 HCWs, 230 (60%) were positive for Anti-HBcore Total. Out of 230 HCWs, 62 (27%) were positive for HBsAg. Prevalence for Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg is significantly different from the expected values, P=0.001 Conclusion: Sero-prevalence of Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg is high among HCWs in Public Hospitals in White Nile State, Sudan.
RESUMEN
Background: Sudan is now facing the reality of double burden disease. Non-communicable diseases constitute a larger burden in terms of morbidity and mortality and the trend is increasing. Behavioral factors are strongly implicated as risk factors and are subject to behavioral change and health education. There Is lack of studies in Sudan relevant to health education activities among doctors and nurses. Aims: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of doctors and nurses about health education activities and life style changes In Khartoum teaching Hospital. Study Design: Analytical cross sectional hospital based study. Place and Duration: Khartoum Teaching Hospital, between April and July 2013. Methodology: Study sample included graduated licensed doctors and nurses, selected using stratified sampling (probability proportional to size). Sample size 196, in which 100 were nurses and 96 were doctors .data was collected by distributing self administered questionnaires. Ethical approval from any participant has been obtained. Database analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science program, version 20. Results: Study revealed that (97%) of both doctors and nurses believed in the importance of health education, but Only (33%) of doctors and (29%) of nurses practice it regularly. Registrars practice more than medical officers (P =.429), males practice more than females (P =.289). Elder nurses practice regularly than younger ones (P=.037). 85% of nurses and 69% of doctors stated resentment of patients as the main hinder of practicing health education. Others mentioned lack of time, work overload, lack of skills and lack of clear protocol to be the cause. Conclusion: In spite of their awareness of the importance of health education only few doctors and nurses practice it regularly, stating patient resentment and lack of time as major hinders.
RESUMEN
Background: Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) currently account for approximately 40% of neonatal deaths in developing countries. Objectives: To identify major factors that limit the introduction of kangaroo mother care (KMC) services in River Nile State, Sudan. Methods: A facility based qualitative cross-sectional study conducted in two hospitals (Atbara and Al-Damar hospital). A total of seven pediatricians working in these two hospitals were interviewed using semi – structured interview. Analysis: Analysis of the data was done manually. The interviewers' responses were entered into a data collection template. The data were reviewed and common themes were identified. Results: Prematurity and low birth weight were a major health problem. Respiratory distress syndrome, hypothermia and sepsis were the leading causes of death. Problems facing pediatricians when caring for the preterm were; lack of incubators, non-functioning incubators, insufficient and untrained staff especially nurses beside rapid turnover. Only two of our pediatricians had heard about KMC but all of them were willing to adopt it in their units. Lack of awareness among mothers, health staff and the community, and the community health culture were the main two obstacles to KMC implementation. Financial support, staff training and isolated wards were needed for mothers' privacy. Knowledgeable practitioners to develop evidence-based policies were important for KMC implementation. Raising awareness among mothers, health cadre especially nurses caring for mothers and their babies and the community about KMC. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge among health cadre, mother, families and community were obstacles to KMC. Awareness need to be raised.