Traditional uvulectomy; practice and belief among Sudanese children in Khartoum hospitals: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Traditional healing practices are common in Sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional uvulectomy (TU) is the removal of the uvula with a sharp curved knife and is often practised in children under five years old. This practice is believed to have a therapeutic effect on children suffering from sore throat, vomiting or difficulty breastfeeding. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the practice of traditional uvulectomy and Sudanese mothers' perception of it. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven teaching hospitals across Khartoum State. We interviewed 385 mothers of children who presented to pediatric units using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study period spanned from July 2022-February 2023. RESULTS: A total of 385 mothers of children under five participated in this study. 33 % of mothers believed in the practice of traditional uvulectomy, yet only 17.9 % of children under five years had undergone TU. Reasons for performing TU included persistent cough (36.9 %), vomiting (33 %), difficulty in breastfeeding (22.6 %) and TU being a family tradition (25.7 %). Factors significantly associated with these practices were the mother's age, her level of education and the family's regional origin. Mothers reported that no major complications to the children were perceived as a result of the TU procedure. CONCLUSION: The practice of TU is prevalent among children who present to hospitals seeking medical advice. More than one-third of mothers had misconceptions regarding the uvula. Health education campaigns targeting females of childbearing age, and health practitioners at primary health centres and hospitals must raise awareness related to this practice.

Hypertension among rural population in four states: Sudan 2012.

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 was 154.74 ±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.