Infertility in Africa

Infertility constitutes an important public health problem in Africa since high prevalence rates exist in many African countries where it is not regarded only as an individual tragedy but also a social stigma that can lead to family disruption. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical data have emphasized the high rates of both primary and secondary infertility in Africa. The WHO standardized multicentre investigation of the infertile couple has established the preponderance of infection-related causes as the important etiological factors for infertility in Africa. STD, post-partum and post-abortion infection are considered to be the main afflictions that are prevalent in the African health scene and lead to tubal blockage and infertility. Since the management of infertility due to tubal blockage requires expensive and advanced technological skills, the emphasis should be directed to prevention of infertility due to infection. Sexually Transmitted Disease control and educational programmes, together with improved obstetric delivery care and provision of FP services will go a long way to reduce the high rates of infertility in Africa

Population policy in the Sudan

Population policy is an important tool for dealing with the overriding population problems. It is world-wide known that rapid growth conflicts with the goal of socio-economic development. Sudan is the largest African country with a total area of 2.5 million square kilometers, with a widely dispersed population of 20,6 millions [1983] formed of 597 tribes speaking 115 different languages. According to preliminary results of 1983 census the annual growth rate was 2.8% and population size would reach 25 millions by the year 1987. In spite of the high rate of population growth, the Government till recently had no explicit population policy. Very recently the government became seriously committed to formulate a policy to solve the population problems. The vital approach is through population redistribution by retaining or attracting population to rural areas, and by settlement of nomads. The deficient demographic data and lack of awareness plus limited understanding of development goals were behind the delay of evolution of a population policy for Sudan. The pronatalist attitude of the previous political leaders put population issues on the governmental agenda as non-priority topics. When the Third National Population Conference was held in Khartoum, October 1988, the Prime Minister addressed the Conference stating that the government was discussing a four-year plan to meet the basic needs of the country which should be defined according to a clear population policy. Since that time, the National Population Committee [NPC] has been undertaking the task of coordination for these crucial issues with relevant public and private sectors

Traditional birth attendants' clients analytic study

The aim of this work is to study the sociobiological features of the consumers of the traditional birth attendants [TBAs] services and the factors influencing their choice of TBAs rather than hospital services. Three hundred mothers were included in the study. They consisted of two groups [T and H] of 150 each: Group T had history of being delivered by TBAs and Group H mothers with history of delivery at the hospital. Structured interview was used to obtain the informations. The results showed that 1- Ages were almost equal for both groups. 2- Mothers delivered in the hospital [H] were more educated and had a better socio-economic condition compared to those deliverded by TBAs. [T].3- Multiparous 3+ were more among group [T]. 4- Still birth was more frequent among H group. 5- History of complicated labor was higher among H. 6- Most of group T patients expressed