ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are considered a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, although data from Africa are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of CRDs in Khartoum, Sudan.METHODS: Data were collected from 516 participants aged ≥40 years, who had completed a questionnaire and undertook pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry testing. Trained field workers administered the questionnaires and conducted spirometry. Survey-weighted prevalence of respiratory symptoms and spirometric abnormalities were estimated. Regression analysis models were used to identify risk factors for chronic lung diseases.RESULTS: Using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994 (NHANES III) reference equations, the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) was 10%. The main risk factor was older age, 60-69 years (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.20-8.31). Lower education, high body mass index and a history of TB were also identified as significant risk factors. The prevalence of a low forced vital capacity (FVC) using NHANES III was 62.7% (SE 2.2) and 11.3% (SE 1.4) using locally derived values.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of spirometric abnormality, mainly low FVC, was high, suggesting that CRD is of substantial public health importance in urban Sudan. Strategies for the prevention and control of these problems are needed.
Subject(s)
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Respiration Disorders , Tuberculosis , Adult , Humans , Nutrition Surveys , Prevalence , Sudan/epidemiology , Forced Expiratory Volume , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Vital Capacity , SpirometryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) and determinants of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards SCD in western Kordofan State, Sudan. METHODS: A community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in three towns. Three hundred and seventy-two households were polled, and blood samples for haemoglobin phenotyping were collected from 1116 individuals. Sociodemographic, socio-economic and KAP data were collected using investigator-administered questionnaires. Descriptive, frequency distribution and multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: About 50.9% of the study population were Misseriya tribes. Consanguineous marriages were reported by 67.5% of the households. The highest percentage of homozygous SCD was 2.8% among children under 5 years of age. About 24.9% were carriers of HbS allele (HbAS). HbS allele frequency was highest in children aged 5-11 years (18.3%, CI: 13.7-22.9%) and lowest in males >15 years old (12.0%, CI: 6.1-17.9%). The average HbS frequency across all age groups was 14.5% (95% CI: 12.2-16.8%). The most frequent ß-globin gene cluster haplotype was the Cameroon (30.8%), followed by the Benin (21.8%), the Senegal (12.8%) and the Bantu (2.2%) haplotypes. About 17.0% of all-cause child deaths were due to SCD. The estimated change in log odds of having the SS genotype per year increase in age was (-) 0.0058 (95% CI -0.0359, 0.0242). This represents a non-statistically significant 2.9% increase in 5-year mortality for individuals with the SS genotype relative to those with AS and AA genotypes. About 46.9% of the households had poor knowledge, 26.1% had satisfactory knowledge, and 26.9% had good knowledge about sickle cell disease. Mothers' and fathers' educational levels were significant predictors of good knowledge about SCD (P < 0.05). About 48.0% had a satisfactory attitude towards sickle cell disease while 30.7% had poor attitude and only 21.3 showed good attitudes. Poor knowledge about SCD and low socio-economic status were the strongest positive predictors of poor attitude and practices towards SCD (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sickle cell disease is a major health problem in West Kordofan, Sudan. Knowledge, attitude and practices towards the disease are not satisfactory. The development of public health programs is highly recommended to control and manage SCD in western parts of Sudan.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Sickle Cell/epidemiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Molecular Epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Anemia, Sickle Cell/genetics , Anemia, Sickle Cell/mortality , Blood Cell Count/methods , Cause of Death , Child , Child Mortality , Child, Preschool , Cluster Analysis , Educational Status , Female , Haplotypes , Humans , Infant , Interviews as Topic , Literacy/statistics & numerical data , Male , Parents , Prevalence , Social Class , Sudan/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is commonly practiced mainly in a belt reaching from East to West Africa north of the equator. The practice is known across socio-economic classes and among different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups. Few studies have been appropriately designed to measure the health effects of FGM. However, the outcome of FGM on intersex individuals has never been discussed before. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient first presented as a female with delayed puberty. Hormonal analysis revealed a normal serum prolactin level of 215 Micro/L, a low FSH of 0.5 Micro/L, and a low LH of 1.1 Micro/L. Type IV FGM (Pharaonic circumcision) had been performed during childhood. Chromosomal analysis showed a 46, XY karyotype and ultrasonography verified a soft tissue structure in the position of the prostate. CONCLUSION: FGM pose a threat to the diagnosis and management of children with abnormal genital development in the Sudan and similar societies.
