Research Background: The high prevalence of diabetes in Sudan, estimated at 16%, highlights the importance of effective health education in diabetes management. Diabetes self-management education has been identified a...Research Background: The high prevalence of diabetes in Sudan, estimated at 16%, highlights the importance of effective health education in diabetes management. Diabetes self-management education has been identified as a crucial tool in enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities necessary for self-management among individuals with diabetes. Aim: To assess the impact of diabetes self-management education on medication adherence and glycemic control in Sudanese adults with type 2 diabetes before and 3 months after the DSME intervention. Method: The study was conducted in Sudan between September 2022 and March 2023, it was an interventional, one-group, pre- and post-test study that aimed to assess the impact of diabetes self-management education (DSME) on medication adherence and diabetes control in Sudanese adults with type 2 diabetes. The research was conducted in primary health care centers in six cities in Sudan and involved 244 participants. The data entry and statistical analysis were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27.0. A paired t test was used for analysis. Results: The study included 244 participants, 67% of whom were males. The age mean ± SD was 48.6 ± 9.3 years, and 85.3% of participants were married. Age at onset of diabetes mean ± SD was 40.60 ± 7.81 years;44.6% had diabetes for less than 5 years;and 84.1% had a positive family history of diabetes mellitus. The levels of poor, low, and partial adherence to medication decreased by 8.2%, 4%, and 20.6%, respectively, after the intervention. The levels of good and high medication regime adherence increased by 13% and 19.8%, respectively;BMI decreased by 1.1 ± 0.73 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (p = 0.005). The fasting blood sugar decreased by 69 ± 32.9 mg/dl (p = 0.049), and the glycated hemoglobin decreased by 1.21 ± 0.28% (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study reinforce the importance of patient education in improving glycemic control and enhancing self-management behaviors. Patient education plays a critical role in enhancing glycemic control and self-management behaviors. It is essential for healthcare providers to adopt a patient-centered approach, taking into account the individual's beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about their illness and treatment. Overcoming these challenges necessitates a comprehensive approach, including enhancing healthcare professionals’ knowledge and communication skills, offering accessible and culturally sensitive diabetes education programs, and addressing barriers to resources and support for self-management.展开更多
Aim: To investigate depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia levels among Sudanese citizens after a year has passed since the start of Armed Forces conflict in Sudan. Methods: An online survey was distributed. It is co...Aim: To investigate depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia levels among Sudanese citizens after a year has passed since the start of Armed Forces conflict in Sudan. Methods: An online survey was distributed. It is composed of five parts, covering the following areas: 1) sociodemographic data;2) depression assessment;3) generalized anxiety disorder assessment;4) post-traumatic stress disorder assessment;and 5) insomnia assessment. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used for data analysis;frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. Spearman’s correlation analysis and Chi-square test were used for correlation and association analysis;a P-value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 283 participants, primarily female (76.0%), with a mean age of 35.26 ± 6.96 years. The majority of participants were married (50.5%) and had a university level of education (50.2%). At the start of the war, 70.3% of participants were inside the war zones, and at the time of data collection, 73.5% were outside Sudan. The length of stay in the war zone ranged from 1 to 300 days, with a mean of 48.59 ± 70.284 days. Additionally, 63.3% of participants stated that they did not receive any form of mental health intervention, and the remaining did not provide an answer. There was a high prevalence of moderate-severe depression (50.5%), moderate anxiety (35.3%), PTSD (56.5%), and sub-threshold insomnia (53.4%) among the participants. Correlation analyses revealed associations between demographic factors such as sex, age, marital status, and education and mental health issues. Notably, female participants showed a higher prevalence of PTSD (53.0%) compared to male participants (67.6%). Conclusions: There is a substantial impact of war-related trauma on mental health, revealing a high prevalence of moderate-severe depression, moderate anxiety, PTSD, and sub-threshold insomnia among the participants. This emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions and support systems to address the unique needs of individuals affected by war trauma.展开更多
A comprehensive action plan for the conservation of the endangered species, the Nubian ibex in Sudan, can be developed by gaining a thorough understanding of their current status, conservation strategy, and relevant l...A comprehensive action plan for the conservation of the endangered species, the Nubian ibex in Sudan, can be developed by gaining a thorough understanding of their current status, conservation strategy, and relevant laws and regulations, as well as raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species. The Nubian ibex is listed as an endangered species on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, highlighting the need for further research on population conservation efforts due to insufficient population data. To address this knowledge gap, a questionnaire was conducted with various stakeholders, including police officers, researchers, and lecturers, representing a diverse range of organizations and universities. The findings revealed that hunting is the primary factor contributing to endangerment. Mammals account for 80% of endangered species, while reptiles comprise less than one-tenth. Research centers are recognized as the main governing body, and 85% of participants are concerned about the declining population. Hunting accounted for less than half of the threats to the ibex population in Sudan, while habitat loss made up a quarter. Mining, climate change, human activity, and agriculture were also identified as risks. However, there were no plans, strategies, procedures, or measures in place to conserve the Nubian ibex. There were also no initiatives to preserve its biodiversity, and awareness about endangered species was lacking. Although participants believed that laws were effective in protecting the ibex, no licenses were issued for its conservation, and annual surveys were not conducted. Additionally, there were no recorded instances of Mukhalfat related to the Nubian ibex. In light of these findings, we propose various conservation measures to address these challenges. These measures include the implementation of laws and regulations, conducting annual surveys to monitor population trends, protecting habitats, establishing breeding and releasing programs, launching awareness campaigns, undertaking rehabilitation efforts, enhancing research efforts, and developing comprehensive conservation strategies. Additionally, it is crucial to foster cooperation among wildlife institutes to ensure the effective implementation of these conservation measures.展开更多
The abundance, distribution and diversity of epibenthic echinoderm were investigated at Dungonab Bay in the Red Sea coastal water of the Sudan. Four permanent line transects were chosen. Eight (30 × 2) square met...The abundance, distribution and diversity of epibenthic echinoderm were investigated at Dungonab Bay in the Red Sea coastal water of the Sudan. Four permanent line transects were chosen. Eight (30 × 2) square metre belt transects along each permanent line transect at 20 metre intervals were used to collect data. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Spatial variations of epibenthic echinoderm abundance were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to identify and illustrate the similarities in echinoderm abundance between line transects and between belt transects. Indices of richness (d), diversity (H'), evenness (J') and dominance (C) were used to explain the diversity of epibenthic echinoderm species. The distribution pattern of each echinoderm species was determined in each permanent line transect. A total of 986 individuals were recorded within sixteen species of epibenthic echinoderms in the four line transects. Holothuriidae was the dominant family (5 species and 342 individuals). The most abundant echinoderms species was Pearsonothuria graeffei (77 individuals, about 7.81%). Abundances intra-transects and intra-families were insignificant (f = 1.67, p = 0.183, df = 3 and f = 3.24, p = 0.083, df = 9, respectively). The highest values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Pielou evenness index (J'), Margalef species richness index (d), and Simpson Dominance index (C) were 2.738, 0.9875, 2.791 and 0.07159, respectively. The distribution patterns of all species in the study transects varied between clumped and uniform, with the exception of Asthenosoma varium of the Echinothuridae family, which had clumped distribution patterns in all transects. The study concluded that Dungonab Bay supports rich and diverse communities of epibenthic echinoderms.展开更多
We carried out this research at Abu-Gaddaf Natural Forest Reserve (ANFR) which is located east of Blue Nile River, in Blue Nile State, Sudan. It aims at exploring tree composition assessing their diversity indices, an...We carried out this research at Abu-Gaddaf Natural Forest Reserve (ANFR) which is located east of Blue Nile River, in Blue Nile State, Sudan. It aims at exploring tree composition assessing their diversity indices, and ecological importance values. For survey of types and estimation of density of tree species in the forest, we randomly distributed 97 circular sample plots (0.1 hectare (ha)). In each sample plot we identified all trees to the species level, recorded their frequencies and computed species diversity and importance value indices (IVI). A total of 13 tree species, which belong to 12 genera and nine families, were identified in the tree layer of the forest. Mean tree density in ANFR was 116 trees/ha, composed mainly of Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst. (48), followed by Combretum hartmannianu (19) and Lannea fruticosa (18). Fabaceae was the most common family followed by Combretaceae and Malvaceae. B. papyrifera Delile Hochst was the most abundant while Acacia seyal was the least abundant species. Species richness (R = 1.71), evenness (E = 0.69), dominance (0.24) indices and Simpson’s Index of Diversity (D' = 0.76) suggest a moderate diversity, moderate numbers of individuals in each species and a moderate community stability. The research provides empirical results on diversity and ecological importance value of species, signifies the urging need to safeguard threatened species and to prioritize them for conservation, as well as the need to promote management of abundant species to provide multiple forest ecosystem services.展开更多
The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) and hepatitis B virus among heavy truck drivers and their assistants has been well documented globally in correlation with their behavioral characteristics. The pr...The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) and hepatitis B virus among heavy truck drivers and their assistants has been well documented globally in correlation with their behavioral characteristics. The present study aimed to screen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and behavioral characteristics among heavy truck drivers in Port Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 274 heavy truck drivers and their assistants who used the highway Port Sudan-Khartoum in Port Sudan city during 2019-2021. Data on behavioral characteristics and substance use habits were collected using a structured questionnaire, and an ELISA test was used to screen for HIV and HBV infections in the study participants. The chi-square test, odds ratio, and confidence intervals were used to find the association between behavioral characteristics and seropositive HIV/HBV. Of the 274 enrolled participants, the seroprevalence rates of HIV were 2.7% and HBV was 23.7%. Ninety-four (34.3%) of them had a history of high-risk sexual behavior outside of marriage;only two (0.7%) used condoms;14.2% of participants reported alcohol use;and 1.1% reported drug use. Univariate analysis revealed that having a sex history outside of marriage with ≥1 sex partner and never using a condom with a spouse or casual partner were significant risk factors for HIV and HBV among drivers. Fortunately, we found that most of the drivers reported low alcohol and drug use. Concerning this study, the seroprevalence of HIV and HBV is highly associated with a history of having sex outside of marriage and sexual behavior among truck drivers and assistances. Additional studies are needed to further investigate other STIs and behavioral characteristics associated with factors in truck drivers/assistance in different truck stop regions in Sudan.展开更多
Introduction: Depression is a serious issue affecting healthcare workers and is a leading cause of disability for both genders. Furthermore, it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, responsible for ...Introduction: Depression is a serious issue affecting healthcare workers and is a leading cause of disability for both genders. Furthermore, it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, responsible for 4.4 percent of global disability. An estimated 350 million people are currently living with depression worldwide. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of depression among healthcare workers in Khartoum State in 2022 and determine the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers in Khartoum State, Sudan, in 2022 using a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Depression was screened using the self-reporting questionnaire (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages were used to display the data. Odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval were estimated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associations between depression and related factors. Results: A total of 341 valid responses were received, with a mean age of 33.91. The overall prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 > 8) was 258 (75.6%). The prevalence was significantly associated with marital status (single and divorced), occupation (psychologist), and working department (Emergency Department), showing a p-value of Conclusion: Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects all people, including healthcare workers, and is a growing problem in Sudan. To address this, healthcare organizations must implement policies and strategies to reduce inequality and protect healthcare workers. A multidisciplinary approach that includes mental health professionals, the Ministry of Health, and universities is needed to prioritize mental health issues and ensure quality care and the overall well-being of both healthcare workers and patients.展开更多
Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a major health problem worldwide. Thus, early detection and appropriate management of the virus will influence the outcome of the di...Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a major health problem worldwide. Thus, early detection and appropriate management of the virus will influence the outcome of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection in Kassala, Eastern Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-study was conducted among patients visiting Kassala teaching hospital with suspicion of COVID-19 infection. A structured questionnaire was used to gather clinical and socio-demo- graphic information from COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal specimens and blood samples were collected and tested to confirm the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection using RT-PCR. Results: A total of 371 patients were enrolled in the study from September 2020 to January 2021, with mean age ± SD was 42.9 ± 19.9. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection was estimated at 61.7%. The majority were males 159 (69.4%), of university-level education, 96 (49.7%), and urban residents, 175 (9.7%). The most common symptoms were fever 215 (93.9%), cough 188 (82.1%), headache 179 (78.2%), and shortness of breath 154 (67.2%). Overall all mortality was reported as 16%. Older age group with the age ≥ 70, P P = 0.020, diabetes mellitus P = 0.029 were significantly associated with high case fatality. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that older age, male gender, laboratory tests (leukocytosis, lymphopenia, low Hemoglobin and high CRP) and various comorbid conditions significantly increase the disease severity and mortality. Therefore, attention should be paid to preventive measures to reduce the considerable impacts of the disease.展开更多
Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered one of the major health threats facing males in Sudan. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is the most important laboratory test used in the diagnosis of prostate cance...Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered one of the major health threats facing males in Sudan. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is the most important laboratory test used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the main disadvantage of PSA is its limited specificity, which triggered a lot of interest in development, more research on other markers such as serum human kallikrein-2 (KLK-2) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA). Objectives: To evaluate the validity of serum kallikrein-2 (KLK-2) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA) in the early detection of prostate cancer among Sudanese patients. Method: In this study seventy men were considered as a case subject, who were diagnosed as cancer prostate at Gezira Hospital for Renal Disease and Surgery (GHRDS), Sudan during the period February 2018 to July 2019. Randomly selected sixty patients of BPH patients and forty-five apparently healthy men as control subject. KLK-2, fPSA and PSA estimations were performed from serum samples using the principle of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The results revealed a highly significant difference between the serum levels individual biomarkers (KLK-2, fPSA, PSA) and multiple biomarkers (fPSA/PSA, KLK-2/fPSA, KLK-2/PSA) for patients with prostate cancer when compared with the control groups. Furthermore, the fPSA/PSA ratio was lower in the patients with prostate cancer (P value = 0.00) than in the control group, the fPSA/PSA ratio showed that best accuracy to differentiate prostate cancer from control group, fPSA cut-off value was found to be more than (18 ng/ml), with sensitivity (93%), specificity (80%), and odds ratio (55). Conclusions: The use of multiple biomarkers rather than individual biomarkers especially fPSA/PSA ratio improves the specificity as well as maintenance of higher sensitivity for early diagnosis of the prostate cancer.展开更多
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. DM-related dyslipidemia are associated with complications resulting from progressive damage of various organs. CD36 is...Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. DM-related dyslipidemia are associated with complications resulting from progressive damage of various organs. CD36 is 88-kD, class B scavenger receptor, expressed on different types of cells. In diabetic patients, LDL particles are glycated with strong level;this increases CD36 expression, initiates foam cell formation and accelerates atherosclerosis. Objective: This study aimed to determine the correlation between serum CD36 level and lipid profile among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Zeenam Specialized center, Khartoum State, Sudan, in a period between 2019 and 2022. Methodology: Hundred participants at different ages were included in this study;70 were type 2 diabetic patients (cases) and 30 apparently healthy individual (control). 3 ml of venous blood were collected from the participants by using a sterile needle and syringe into a labeled plain container. Each sample was stood until complete clot occurs. Clotted blood sample was then centrifuged to obtain the serum. Then they were used for measurement of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and soluble CD36 levels. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured using Biosystem chemistry analyzer BTS-302. Serum CD36 was measured using Microplate Reader (URIT-660). Results: The results revealed that serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with control (P = 0.03, P = 0.031, P = 0.000, P = 0.000) respectively, while there is no statistically significant differences in serum CD36 level between cases and control (P = 0.129). Also this study showed that there is no statistically significant correlation between serum CD36 level and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, age and body mass index. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is no statistically significant difference in serum CD36 level between cases and control. And sCD36 level was not correlated with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, and age.展开更多
Background: As the coronavirus spared accelerated, various sectors began to deteriorate since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector as one of the major areas where the pandemic put a huge strain...Background: As the coronavirus spared accelerated, various sectors began to deteriorate since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector as one of the major areas where the pandemic put a huge strain was also affected in different ways. Precisely, patient adherence to medication despite difficulties was a point of a question for health staff. Thus, this survey aims to distinguish and discuss the possibility of patients with chronic medications receiving their drugs and taking them regularly as prescribed. Method: Two online questionnaires were generated using Google forms and distributed among patients with chronic illnesses and pharmacists in the Khartoum locality. The survey was conducted during the period of the study to get the most recent data. Results: 81.4% of the population stated that they did encounter difficulties in obtaining their chronic medication during the pandemic. Pharmacists reported that drug availability decreased by 87% in pharmacies, but a considerable proportion of patients adhered to their medications (84%), and obtained their medications through a variety of means. More than half of the patients ordered their medication illegally, in addition to another approach discussed in the paper.展开更多
Since December 2019, there had been a series of unexplained cases of pneumonia reported in Wuhan, China, and on 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) named this new virus as the 2019 novel coronavirus (...Since December 2019, there had been a series of unexplained cases of pneumonia reported in Wuhan, China, and on 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) named this new virus as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging, rapidly changing global health challenge affecting all sectors, including the health sector. This study aimed to investigate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in three public health hospitals in Khartoum state. A self-administered questionnaire was used. A total of 14 knowledge questions were adopted. There are 5 questions constructed for attitude. A total of 12 practice questions were used. Mean score of knowledge considers as follows when the mean more than 75% considers as good knowledge while this percent uses as good practice and poor practice respectively to analyze the mean score differences of knowledge, attitudes, and practices between the independent variables. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between mean knowledge and attitude scores. Results: Of the 101 nurses approached, a total of 100 nurses responded (99.0% response rate). The mean age of the participants was 27.6 (SD 5.3) years, and the majority of the participants were male (293/434, 67.5%). The mean knowledge score was 1.01 (SD 0.100). The mean attitude score was 10.5 (SD 4.1), and 54.8% (238/434) of the participants had a good attitude toward COVID-19. The mean practice score was 1.4176 (SD 1.4176). There was a negative correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (P < -0.014) and between knowledge and practice scores (P < -0.081). Conclusions: The overall levels of knowledge and practice and attitude were good.展开更多
Natural forest ecosystems play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity of many plants and animals by providing them with habitat and suitable environments. Studies have shown that biodiversity-protected ...Natural forest ecosystems play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity of many plants and animals by providing them with habitat and suitable environments. Studies have shown that biodiversity-protected areas reduce the loss and degradation of natural habitats to various wild species of plants. This study examined the forest resources in five subzones by conducting tree/shrub species inventory to be able to develop an effective forest management plan for the Buffer Zone Forest Reserve for the sustainable conservation of flora and fauna of Nimule National Park. This is with the view to identify the main tree and shrub species;assess the composition, distribution, and abundance of various tree/shrub species;to determine the species diversity as well as the richness of these areas in terms of growth and performance where DBH and heights of trees/shrubs in the circular sample plots were measured. The results revealed the overall mean DBH and H of 13.83 cm and 6.61 m respectively. The highest number of trees was obtained in subzone B followed by D, while the least were found in subzone A. The overall mean tree/shrub density was 0.83 tons/ha. The mean total basal area and volume per hectare were 3252.74 m<sup>2</sup>/ha and 46,540.82 m<sup>3</sup>/ha respectively. The overall species abundance and distribution indicate Combretum spp, Cedrella spp., Grewia mollis, Acacia Sieberiana, Ziziphus abysinica, and Acacia seyal were the most dominant species, with over 12 species richness at the deposition side of the River Nile, 13 species at the western side of the Nile, the Administration site shows only 7 species, the lowland of Mt. Gordon show over 14 different species, whereas over 10 species were found on the top of Mt. Gordon. The overall mean diversity indices and evenness of H’, D, and E depicted 2.507, 0.871, and 0.840 respectively. These results yielded are relatively moderate. Therefore, conservation efforts are very necessary to improve and maintain the quality of vegetation cover.展开更多
Socio-economic characteristics related to fishing gears and boats from three selected small-scale fishers’ communities (Oseif, Dungonab and Mohammed Qol) in the northern part of the Sudanese Red Sea coast were studie...Socio-economic characteristics related to fishing gears and boats from three selected small-scale fishers’ communities (Oseif, Dungonab and Mohammed Qol) in the northern part of the Sudanese Red Sea coast were studied. The study was designed to provide base line data and information on the current socio-economic situation, factors that determine the use of fishing gear, types of boats and fishing equipment, challenges facing fishers and the extent to which fishing gear and boats are related with the socio-economic characteristics of the fishers community in the study sites. Fieldwork was carried out during 2016. The study methods included a series of interviews based on questionnaires, field observations and focus group discussions. The results of the study showed that the most common fishing gears are handlines, cast nets and gillnets. The two types of boats used at the study sites are motorized fiberglass and houri (motorized and paddled) with a V-shaped hull. Boat ownership varies among fishers. Each fisher can have several types of gears in different numbers. Target fish species, season, efficiency of gear and fishing location were the main factors determining the use of fishing gear at study sites, respectively. All fishers are men and most have families of at least four people. The majority of fishers are between 21 and 50 years old and work mainly in fishing. They inherited fishing knowledge within the family, and most of them have been working in artisanal fishing for more than 10 years. Fishers have relatively good net incomes compared to other government employers in the study sites. Most fishers work full time in fishing. A small number of fishers work part-time with the possibility of undertaking other income-generating activities such as animal husbandry and seasonal agriculture. The main challenges identified by fishers at the study sites were fish prices, sea surface roughness and high cost of fishing materials, respectively. Most fishers perceived a recent decline in both catch size and abundance.展开更多
Worldwide, the demand for agro-organic foods that are healthy, nutritious, and environmentally friendly is increasing dramatically across all nations among consumers. Tomatoes being one of the dietary requirements in ...Worldwide, the demand for agro-organic foods that are healthy, nutritious, and environmentally friendly is increasing dramatically across all nations among consumers. Tomatoes being one of the dietary requirements in almost every meal is not exceptional and its availability in the market all year round is very important to farmers as well as consumers because it is highly demanded as a vegetable par excellence;which is either eaten raw in salads, cooked or processed into liquid ingredients. This study investigates the impact of chicken, goat, and cow manure treatments on tomato plant growth response to height, leaf length, and width, as well as fruit yield. The experimental field trials were conducted over two planting seasons in Mundri West County. It followed a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) approach, consisting of four blocks. Each block contained three treatments replicated four times and a control group. The data of measured parameters from all 16 plots were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the Gen Stat 14th Edition software. The findings indicate significant differences (P < 0.05) among all the different organic manure applications on tomato plant growth parameters compared to the control group. Chicken manure resulted in the tallest tomato plants (30.1 and 37.9 cm), longest leaves (9.9 and 10.4 cm), and widest leaves (2.1 and 2.5 cm) in both seasons respectively. The study showed plots treated with chicken manure had a highly significant impact (P < 0.05) on the prevalence of aphids (1.0) and white flies (1.4) with the lowest value compared to those with cow and goat manure applied. Additionally, chicken manure led to the highest yields (39.30 and 49.49 tons/ha) in both seasons. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that using chicken manure effectively improves the performance of Rio Grande Tomatoes, and thus, farmers are encouraged to utilize chicken manure to maximize their tomato yields.展开更多
Background: Protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) family is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer (OC). To the greatest of our knowledge, there is a lack of published reports about the amplification of the genes belonging to th...Background: Protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) family is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer (OC). To the greatest of our knowledge, there is a lack of published reports about the amplification of the genes belonging to the AKT family among Sudanese women with OC. The present study was conducted to detect the AKT1 gene amplification and its association with tumour types, grades, and ages among Sudanese women with OC, bearing in mind the ethnic variation. Methods: This institution-based study included 79 cases of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OC) at Omdurman Maternity Hospital in the period 2013-2018. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections were used to extract RNA. AKT1 gene amplification was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The mean age (±SD) of included women was 49.29 (±13.612). The amplification of AKT1 gene was observed in 18/79 (22.8%) of OC women, with a high frequency in women with undifferentiated 1/2 (50%), clear cell 2/6 (33.3%), mucinous 3/11 (27.3%), endometrioid 3/17 (17.6%), and serous carcinomas 5/30 OC (16.7%). High frequency was seen in women with low (26.3%;n = 10/28) rather than in higher (19.5%;n = 8/33) grade carcinoma, and in older (25.8%;n = 8/23) rather than younger (18.2%;n = 2/9) women. No significant association between AKT1 gene amplification and tumour types, grades, and ages of women was observed (Fisher’s Exact test: p = 0.405, 0.593 and 0.851, respectively). Conclusion: AKT1 gene amplification arises in around one-fifth of Sudanese women with ovarian cancer (OC). It is seen more in undifferentiated, clear cell, and mucinous tumours types, and more frequently in low tumour grade and older women, but not to a statistically significant level. These outcomes sustenance previous studies suggesting that activated AKT genes have a vital role in OC progression and may offer a plan for targeted therapy and prognostic evaluation.展开更多
This article attempts to position education not only in the peacebuilding debate but also in the larger good governance debate about what makes a resilient social contract.We subscribe in this paper to a theoretical p...This article attempts to position education not only in the peacebuilding debate but also in the larger good governance debate about what makes a resilient social contract.We subscribe in this paper to a theoretical perspective that attributes the driver of civil wars to governance deficit that is manifested in absence of resilient social contract in terms of sustained agreement between citizens and state.We then ask the key question of whether and how education is linked to a resilient social contract.We found a wealth of evidence linking education and peacebuilding,and education and civicness,but a gap exists in the literature about the link between education and social contract.On the basis of a thorough review of theory and research on education,civicness,and social contract,we develop a theoretical framework to conceptually frame the nexus between education,civicness,resilient social contract,and sustainable peace.This framework is founded on the theory of state formation.Applying this framework to the case of South Sudan,we found that education through civicness makes students become key political stakeholders and more likely nurture a resilient social contract,which in turn sustains peace.The very low level of educated population in South Sudan might have contributed,among other factors,to limited demand for good governance that contributes to governance deficit,which perpetuates poor state-society relations,ineffective and exclusive institutions,and erosion of social cohesion,and interpersonal trust,factors central to resilient social contract.展开更多
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019, otherwise known as COVID-19, emerged in December of 2019. COVID-19 spreads through an airborne transmission route. Preventive measures were described to help decrease the spread o...Background: Coronavirus disease 2019, otherwise known as COVID-19, emerged in December of 2019. COVID-19 spreads through an airborne transmission route. Preventive measures were described to help decrease the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. There were a number of preventive measures that were globally adopted: social distance of at least 1 meter, mask wearing, washing hands for 20 seconds, and covering the mouth and nose if the person sneezes or coughs. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among 362 students from the International University of Africa, Sudan, was carried out between August 2021 and September 2022. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 was used for data analysis;frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. A chi-square test was used for association analysis;a P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among study participants, the females were 70.9%;most were 20 - 23 years old (73.6%). 54.2% were vaccinated against COVID-19;83.6% had good knowledge regarding the mode of transmission, and 76.1% stayed in during quarantine. 80.6% of participants understood social distancing correctly. 76.1% of males and 45.1% of females started or completed vaccination (P ≤ 0.05). 51.4% of males and 81.3% of females adhered to preventive measures (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It is important to target health education campaigns and interventions to improve adherence to preventive measures among university students. Although the pandemic is coming to an end, a lesson should be learned from it, and future preparation should be employed.展开更多
The paper gives an overview of language planning and policy( LPP) in Sudan. It mainly focuses on language problem in two different periods, namely, the colonial period and the post colonial one. The question of Arabic...The paper gives an overview of language planning and policy( LPP) in Sudan. It mainly focuses on language problem in two different periods, namely, the colonial period and the post colonial one. The question of Arabicization of Education in Sudan is also discussed, followed by a critical conclusion.展开更多
文摘Research Background: The high prevalence of diabetes in Sudan, estimated at 16%, highlights the importance of effective health education in diabetes management. Diabetes self-management education has been identified as a crucial tool in enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities necessary for self-management among individuals with diabetes. Aim: To assess the impact of diabetes self-management education on medication adherence and glycemic control in Sudanese adults with type 2 diabetes before and 3 months after the DSME intervention. Method: The study was conducted in Sudan between September 2022 and March 2023, it was an interventional, one-group, pre- and post-test study that aimed to assess the impact of diabetes self-management education (DSME) on medication adherence and diabetes control in Sudanese adults with type 2 diabetes. The research was conducted in primary health care centers in six cities in Sudan and involved 244 participants. The data entry and statistical analysis were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27.0. A paired t test was used for analysis. Results: The study included 244 participants, 67% of whom were males. The age mean ± SD was 48.6 ± 9.3 years, and 85.3% of participants were married. Age at onset of diabetes mean ± SD was 40.60 ± 7.81 years;44.6% had diabetes for less than 5 years;and 84.1% had a positive family history of diabetes mellitus. The levels of poor, low, and partial adherence to medication decreased by 8.2%, 4%, and 20.6%, respectively, after the intervention. The levels of good and high medication regime adherence increased by 13% and 19.8%, respectively;BMI decreased by 1.1 ± 0.73 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (p = 0.005). The fasting blood sugar decreased by 69 ± 32.9 mg/dl (p = 0.049), and the glycated hemoglobin decreased by 1.21 ± 0.28% (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study reinforce the importance of patient education in improving glycemic control and enhancing self-management behaviors. Patient education plays a critical role in enhancing glycemic control and self-management behaviors. It is essential for healthcare providers to adopt a patient-centered approach, taking into account the individual's beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about their illness and treatment. Overcoming these challenges necessitates a comprehensive approach, including enhancing healthcare professionals’ knowledge and communication skills, offering accessible and culturally sensitive diabetes education programs, and addressing barriers to resources and support for self-management.
文摘Aim: To investigate depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia levels among Sudanese citizens after a year has passed since the start of Armed Forces conflict in Sudan. Methods: An online survey was distributed. It is composed of five parts, covering the following areas: 1) sociodemographic data;2) depression assessment;3) generalized anxiety disorder assessment;4) post-traumatic stress disorder assessment;and 5) insomnia assessment. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used for data analysis;frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. Spearman’s correlation analysis and Chi-square test were used for correlation and association analysis;a P-value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 283 participants, primarily female (76.0%), with a mean age of 35.26 ± 6.96 years. The majority of participants were married (50.5%) and had a university level of education (50.2%). At the start of the war, 70.3% of participants were inside the war zones, and at the time of data collection, 73.5% were outside Sudan. The length of stay in the war zone ranged from 1 to 300 days, with a mean of 48.59 ± 70.284 days. Additionally, 63.3% of participants stated that they did not receive any form of mental health intervention, and the remaining did not provide an answer. There was a high prevalence of moderate-severe depression (50.5%), moderate anxiety (35.3%), PTSD (56.5%), and sub-threshold insomnia (53.4%) among the participants. Correlation analyses revealed associations between demographic factors such as sex, age, marital status, and education and mental health issues. Notably, female participants showed a higher prevalence of PTSD (53.0%) compared to male participants (67.6%). Conclusions: There is a substantial impact of war-related trauma on mental health, revealing a high prevalence of moderate-severe depression, moderate anxiety, PTSD, and sub-threshold insomnia among the participants. This emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions and support systems to address the unique needs of individuals affected by war trauma.
文摘A comprehensive action plan for the conservation of the endangered species, the Nubian ibex in Sudan, can be developed by gaining a thorough understanding of their current status, conservation strategy, and relevant laws and regulations, as well as raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species. The Nubian ibex is listed as an endangered species on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, highlighting the need for further research on population conservation efforts due to insufficient population data. To address this knowledge gap, a questionnaire was conducted with various stakeholders, including police officers, researchers, and lecturers, representing a diverse range of organizations and universities. The findings revealed that hunting is the primary factor contributing to endangerment. Mammals account for 80% of endangered species, while reptiles comprise less than one-tenth. Research centers are recognized as the main governing body, and 85% of participants are concerned about the declining population. Hunting accounted for less than half of the threats to the ibex population in Sudan, while habitat loss made up a quarter. Mining, climate change, human activity, and agriculture were also identified as risks. However, there were no plans, strategies, procedures, or measures in place to conserve the Nubian ibex. There were also no initiatives to preserve its biodiversity, and awareness about endangered species was lacking. Although participants believed that laws were effective in protecting the ibex, no licenses were issued for its conservation, and annual surveys were not conducted. Additionally, there were no recorded instances of Mukhalfat related to the Nubian ibex. In light of these findings, we propose various conservation measures to address these challenges. These measures include the implementation of laws and regulations, conducting annual surveys to monitor population trends, protecting habitats, establishing breeding and releasing programs, launching awareness campaigns, undertaking rehabilitation efforts, enhancing research efforts, and developing comprehensive conservation strategies. Additionally, it is crucial to foster cooperation among wildlife institutes to ensure the effective implementation of these conservation measures.
文摘The abundance, distribution and diversity of epibenthic echinoderm were investigated at Dungonab Bay in the Red Sea coastal water of the Sudan. Four permanent line transects were chosen. Eight (30 × 2) square metre belt transects along each permanent line transect at 20 metre intervals were used to collect data. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Spatial variations of epibenthic echinoderm abundance were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to identify and illustrate the similarities in echinoderm abundance between line transects and between belt transects. Indices of richness (d), diversity (H'), evenness (J') and dominance (C) were used to explain the diversity of epibenthic echinoderm species. The distribution pattern of each echinoderm species was determined in each permanent line transect. A total of 986 individuals were recorded within sixteen species of epibenthic echinoderms in the four line transects. Holothuriidae was the dominant family (5 species and 342 individuals). The most abundant echinoderms species was Pearsonothuria graeffei (77 individuals, about 7.81%). Abundances intra-transects and intra-families were insignificant (f = 1.67, p = 0.183, df = 3 and f = 3.24, p = 0.083, df = 9, respectively). The highest values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Pielou evenness index (J'), Margalef species richness index (d), and Simpson Dominance index (C) were 2.738, 0.9875, 2.791 and 0.07159, respectively. The distribution patterns of all species in the study transects varied between clumped and uniform, with the exception of Asthenosoma varium of the Echinothuridae family, which had clumped distribution patterns in all transects. The study concluded that Dungonab Bay supports rich and diverse communities of epibenthic echinoderms.
文摘We carried out this research at Abu-Gaddaf Natural Forest Reserve (ANFR) which is located east of Blue Nile River, in Blue Nile State, Sudan. It aims at exploring tree composition assessing their diversity indices, and ecological importance values. For survey of types and estimation of density of tree species in the forest, we randomly distributed 97 circular sample plots (0.1 hectare (ha)). In each sample plot we identified all trees to the species level, recorded their frequencies and computed species diversity and importance value indices (IVI). A total of 13 tree species, which belong to 12 genera and nine families, were identified in the tree layer of the forest. Mean tree density in ANFR was 116 trees/ha, composed mainly of Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst. (48), followed by Combretum hartmannianu (19) and Lannea fruticosa (18). Fabaceae was the most common family followed by Combretaceae and Malvaceae. B. papyrifera Delile Hochst was the most abundant while Acacia seyal was the least abundant species. Species richness (R = 1.71), evenness (E = 0.69), dominance (0.24) indices and Simpson’s Index of Diversity (D' = 0.76) suggest a moderate diversity, moderate numbers of individuals in each species and a moderate community stability. The research provides empirical results on diversity and ecological importance value of species, signifies the urging need to safeguard threatened species and to prioritize them for conservation, as well as the need to promote management of abundant species to provide multiple forest ecosystem services.
文摘The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) and hepatitis B virus among heavy truck drivers and their assistants has been well documented globally in correlation with their behavioral characteristics. The present study aimed to screen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and behavioral characteristics among heavy truck drivers in Port Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 274 heavy truck drivers and their assistants who used the highway Port Sudan-Khartoum in Port Sudan city during 2019-2021. Data on behavioral characteristics and substance use habits were collected using a structured questionnaire, and an ELISA test was used to screen for HIV and HBV infections in the study participants. The chi-square test, odds ratio, and confidence intervals were used to find the association between behavioral characteristics and seropositive HIV/HBV. Of the 274 enrolled participants, the seroprevalence rates of HIV were 2.7% and HBV was 23.7%. Ninety-four (34.3%) of them had a history of high-risk sexual behavior outside of marriage;only two (0.7%) used condoms;14.2% of participants reported alcohol use;and 1.1% reported drug use. Univariate analysis revealed that having a sex history outside of marriage with ≥1 sex partner and never using a condom with a spouse or casual partner were significant risk factors for HIV and HBV among drivers. Fortunately, we found that most of the drivers reported low alcohol and drug use. Concerning this study, the seroprevalence of HIV and HBV is highly associated with a history of having sex outside of marriage and sexual behavior among truck drivers and assistances. Additional studies are needed to further investigate other STIs and behavioral characteristics associated with factors in truck drivers/assistance in different truck stop regions in Sudan.
文摘Introduction: Depression is a serious issue affecting healthcare workers and is a leading cause of disability for both genders. Furthermore, it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, responsible for 4.4 percent of global disability. An estimated 350 million people are currently living with depression worldwide. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of depression among healthcare workers in Khartoum State in 2022 and determine the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers in Khartoum State, Sudan, in 2022 using a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Depression was screened using the self-reporting questionnaire (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages were used to display the data. Odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval were estimated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associations between depression and related factors. Results: A total of 341 valid responses were received, with a mean age of 33.91. The overall prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 > 8) was 258 (75.6%). The prevalence was significantly associated with marital status (single and divorced), occupation (psychologist), and working department (Emergency Department), showing a p-value of Conclusion: Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects all people, including healthcare workers, and is a growing problem in Sudan. To address this, healthcare organizations must implement policies and strategies to reduce inequality and protect healthcare workers. A multidisciplinary approach that includes mental health professionals, the Ministry of Health, and universities is needed to prioritize mental health issues and ensure quality care and the overall well-being of both healthcare workers and patients.
文摘Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a major health problem worldwide. Thus, early detection and appropriate management of the virus will influence the outcome of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infection in Kassala, Eastern Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-study was conducted among patients visiting Kassala teaching hospital with suspicion of COVID-19 infection. A structured questionnaire was used to gather clinical and socio-demo- graphic information from COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal specimens and blood samples were collected and tested to confirm the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection using RT-PCR. Results: A total of 371 patients were enrolled in the study from September 2020 to January 2021, with mean age ± SD was 42.9 ± 19.9. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection was estimated at 61.7%. The majority were males 159 (69.4%), of university-level education, 96 (49.7%), and urban residents, 175 (9.7%). The most common symptoms were fever 215 (93.9%), cough 188 (82.1%), headache 179 (78.2%), and shortness of breath 154 (67.2%). Overall all mortality was reported as 16%. Older age group with the age ≥ 70, P P = 0.020, diabetes mellitus P = 0.029 were significantly associated with high case fatality. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that older age, male gender, laboratory tests (leukocytosis, lymphopenia, low Hemoglobin and high CRP) and various comorbid conditions significantly increase the disease severity and mortality. Therefore, attention should be paid to preventive measures to reduce the considerable impacts of the disease.
文摘Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered one of the major health threats facing males in Sudan. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is the most important laboratory test used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the main disadvantage of PSA is its limited specificity, which triggered a lot of interest in development, more research on other markers such as serum human kallikrein-2 (KLK-2) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA). Objectives: To evaluate the validity of serum kallikrein-2 (KLK-2) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA) in the early detection of prostate cancer among Sudanese patients. Method: In this study seventy men were considered as a case subject, who were diagnosed as cancer prostate at Gezira Hospital for Renal Disease and Surgery (GHRDS), Sudan during the period February 2018 to July 2019. Randomly selected sixty patients of BPH patients and forty-five apparently healthy men as control subject. KLK-2, fPSA and PSA estimations were performed from serum samples using the principle of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The results revealed a highly significant difference between the serum levels individual biomarkers (KLK-2, fPSA, PSA) and multiple biomarkers (fPSA/PSA, KLK-2/fPSA, KLK-2/PSA) for patients with prostate cancer when compared with the control groups. Furthermore, the fPSA/PSA ratio was lower in the patients with prostate cancer (P value = 0.00) than in the control group, the fPSA/PSA ratio showed that best accuracy to differentiate prostate cancer from control group, fPSA cut-off value was found to be more than (18 ng/ml), with sensitivity (93%), specificity (80%), and odds ratio (55). Conclusions: The use of multiple biomarkers rather than individual biomarkers especially fPSA/PSA ratio improves the specificity as well as maintenance of higher sensitivity for early diagnosis of the prostate cancer.
文摘Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. DM-related dyslipidemia are associated with complications resulting from progressive damage of various organs. CD36 is 88-kD, class B scavenger receptor, expressed on different types of cells. In diabetic patients, LDL particles are glycated with strong level;this increases CD36 expression, initiates foam cell formation and accelerates atherosclerosis. Objective: This study aimed to determine the correlation between serum CD36 level and lipid profile among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Zeenam Specialized center, Khartoum State, Sudan, in a period between 2019 and 2022. Methodology: Hundred participants at different ages were included in this study;70 were type 2 diabetic patients (cases) and 30 apparently healthy individual (control). 3 ml of venous blood were collected from the participants by using a sterile needle and syringe into a labeled plain container. Each sample was stood until complete clot occurs. Clotted blood sample was then centrifuged to obtain the serum. Then they were used for measurement of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and soluble CD36 levels. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured using Biosystem chemistry analyzer BTS-302. Serum CD36 was measured using Microplate Reader (URIT-660). Results: The results revealed that serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with control (P = 0.03, P = 0.031, P = 0.000, P = 0.000) respectively, while there is no statistically significant differences in serum CD36 level between cases and control (P = 0.129). Also this study showed that there is no statistically significant correlation between serum CD36 level and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, age and body mass index. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is no statistically significant difference in serum CD36 level between cases and control. And sCD36 level was not correlated with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, and age.
文摘Background: As the coronavirus spared accelerated, various sectors began to deteriorate since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector as one of the major areas where the pandemic put a huge strain was also affected in different ways. Precisely, patient adherence to medication despite difficulties was a point of a question for health staff. Thus, this survey aims to distinguish and discuss the possibility of patients with chronic medications receiving their drugs and taking them regularly as prescribed. Method: Two online questionnaires were generated using Google forms and distributed among patients with chronic illnesses and pharmacists in the Khartoum locality. The survey was conducted during the period of the study to get the most recent data. Results: 81.4% of the population stated that they did encounter difficulties in obtaining their chronic medication during the pandemic. Pharmacists reported that drug availability decreased by 87% in pharmacies, but a considerable proportion of patients adhered to their medications (84%), and obtained their medications through a variety of means. More than half of the patients ordered their medication illegally, in addition to another approach discussed in the paper.
文摘Since December 2019, there had been a series of unexplained cases of pneumonia reported in Wuhan, China, and on 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) named this new virus as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging, rapidly changing global health challenge affecting all sectors, including the health sector. This study aimed to investigate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in three public health hospitals in Khartoum state. A self-administered questionnaire was used. A total of 14 knowledge questions were adopted. There are 5 questions constructed for attitude. A total of 12 practice questions were used. Mean score of knowledge considers as follows when the mean more than 75% considers as good knowledge while this percent uses as good practice and poor practice respectively to analyze the mean score differences of knowledge, attitudes, and practices between the independent variables. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between mean knowledge and attitude scores. Results: Of the 101 nurses approached, a total of 100 nurses responded (99.0% response rate). The mean age of the participants was 27.6 (SD 5.3) years, and the majority of the participants were male (293/434, 67.5%). The mean knowledge score was 1.01 (SD 0.100). The mean attitude score was 10.5 (SD 4.1), and 54.8% (238/434) of the participants had a good attitude toward COVID-19. The mean practice score was 1.4176 (SD 1.4176). There was a negative correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (P < -0.014) and between knowledge and practice scores (P < -0.081). Conclusions: The overall levels of knowledge and practice and attitude were good.
文摘Natural forest ecosystems play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity of many plants and animals by providing them with habitat and suitable environments. Studies have shown that biodiversity-protected areas reduce the loss and degradation of natural habitats to various wild species of plants. This study examined the forest resources in five subzones by conducting tree/shrub species inventory to be able to develop an effective forest management plan for the Buffer Zone Forest Reserve for the sustainable conservation of flora and fauna of Nimule National Park. This is with the view to identify the main tree and shrub species;assess the composition, distribution, and abundance of various tree/shrub species;to determine the species diversity as well as the richness of these areas in terms of growth and performance where DBH and heights of trees/shrubs in the circular sample plots were measured. The results revealed the overall mean DBH and H of 13.83 cm and 6.61 m respectively. The highest number of trees was obtained in subzone B followed by D, while the least were found in subzone A. The overall mean tree/shrub density was 0.83 tons/ha. The mean total basal area and volume per hectare were 3252.74 m<sup>2</sup>/ha and 46,540.82 m<sup>3</sup>/ha respectively. The overall species abundance and distribution indicate Combretum spp, Cedrella spp., Grewia mollis, Acacia Sieberiana, Ziziphus abysinica, and Acacia seyal were the most dominant species, with over 12 species richness at the deposition side of the River Nile, 13 species at the western side of the Nile, the Administration site shows only 7 species, the lowland of Mt. Gordon show over 14 different species, whereas over 10 species were found on the top of Mt. Gordon. The overall mean diversity indices and evenness of H’, D, and E depicted 2.507, 0.871, and 0.840 respectively. These results yielded are relatively moderate. Therefore, conservation efforts are very necessary to improve and maintain the quality of vegetation cover.
文摘Socio-economic characteristics related to fishing gears and boats from three selected small-scale fishers’ communities (Oseif, Dungonab and Mohammed Qol) in the northern part of the Sudanese Red Sea coast were studied. The study was designed to provide base line data and information on the current socio-economic situation, factors that determine the use of fishing gear, types of boats and fishing equipment, challenges facing fishers and the extent to which fishing gear and boats are related with the socio-economic characteristics of the fishers community in the study sites. Fieldwork was carried out during 2016. The study methods included a series of interviews based on questionnaires, field observations and focus group discussions. The results of the study showed that the most common fishing gears are handlines, cast nets and gillnets. The two types of boats used at the study sites are motorized fiberglass and houri (motorized and paddled) with a V-shaped hull. Boat ownership varies among fishers. Each fisher can have several types of gears in different numbers. Target fish species, season, efficiency of gear and fishing location were the main factors determining the use of fishing gear at study sites, respectively. All fishers are men and most have families of at least four people. The majority of fishers are between 21 and 50 years old and work mainly in fishing. They inherited fishing knowledge within the family, and most of them have been working in artisanal fishing for more than 10 years. Fishers have relatively good net incomes compared to other government employers in the study sites. Most fishers work full time in fishing. A small number of fishers work part-time with the possibility of undertaking other income-generating activities such as animal husbandry and seasonal agriculture. The main challenges identified by fishers at the study sites were fish prices, sea surface roughness and high cost of fishing materials, respectively. Most fishers perceived a recent decline in both catch size and abundance.
文摘Worldwide, the demand for agro-organic foods that are healthy, nutritious, and environmentally friendly is increasing dramatically across all nations among consumers. Tomatoes being one of the dietary requirements in almost every meal is not exceptional and its availability in the market all year round is very important to farmers as well as consumers because it is highly demanded as a vegetable par excellence;which is either eaten raw in salads, cooked or processed into liquid ingredients. This study investigates the impact of chicken, goat, and cow manure treatments on tomato plant growth response to height, leaf length, and width, as well as fruit yield. The experimental field trials were conducted over two planting seasons in Mundri West County. It followed a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) approach, consisting of four blocks. Each block contained three treatments replicated four times and a control group. The data of measured parameters from all 16 plots were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the Gen Stat 14th Edition software. The findings indicate significant differences (P < 0.05) among all the different organic manure applications on tomato plant growth parameters compared to the control group. Chicken manure resulted in the tallest tomato plants (30.1 and 37.9 cm), longest leaves (9.9 and 10.4 cm), and widest leaves (2.1 and 2.5 cm) in both seasons respectively. The study showed plots treated with chicken manure had a highly significant impact (P < 0.05) on the prevalence of aphids (1.0) and white flies (1.4) with the lowest value compared to those with cow and goat manure applied. Additionally, chicken manure led to the highest yields (39.30 and 49.49 tons/ha) in both seasons. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that using chicken manure effectively improves the performance of Rio Grande Tomatoes, and thus, farmers are encouraged to utilize chicken manure to maximize their tomato yields.
文摘Background: Protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) family is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer (OC). To the greatest of our knowledge, there is a lack of published reports about the amplification of the genes belonging to the AKT family among Sudanese women with OC. The present study was conducted to detect the AKT1 gene amplification and its association with tumour types, grades, and ages among Sudanese women with OC, bearing in mind the ethnic variation. Methods: This institution-based study included 79 cases of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OC) at Omdurman Maternity Hospital in the period 2013-2018. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections were used to extract RNA. AKT1 gene amplification was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The mean age (±SD) of included women was 49.29 (±13.612). The amplification of AKT1 gene was observed in 18/79 (22.8%) of OC women, with a high frequency in women with undifferentiated 1/2 (50%), clear cell 2/6 (33.3%), mucinous 3/11 (27.3%), endometrioid 3/17 (17.6%), and serous carcinomas 5/30 OC (16.7%). High frequency was seen in women with low (26.3%;n = 10/28) rather than in higher (19.5%;n = 8/33) grade carcinoma, and in older (25.8%;n = 8/23) rather than younger (18.2%;n = 2/9) women. No significant association between AKT1 gene amplification and tumour types, grades, and ages of women was observed (Fisher’s Exact test: p = 0.405, 0.593 and 0.851, respectively). Conclusion: AKT1 gene amplification arises in around one-fifth of Sudanese women with ovarian cancer (OC). It is seen more in undifferentiated, clear cell, and mucinous tumours types, and more frequently in low tumour grade and older women, but not to a statistically significant level. These outcomes sustenance previous studies suggesting that activated AKT genes have a vital role in OC progression and may offer a plan for targeted therapy and prognostic evaluation.
文摘This article attempts to position education not only in the peacebuilding debate but also in the larger good governance debate about what makes a resilient social contract.We subscribe in this paper to a theoretical perspective that attributes the driver of civil wars to governance deficit that is manifested in absence of resilient social contract in terms of sustained agreement between citizens and state.We then ask the key question of whether and how education is linked to a resilient social contract.We found a wealth of evidence linking education and peacebuilding,and education and civicness,but a gap exists in the literature about the link between education and social contract.On the basis of a thorough review of theory and research on education,civicness,and social contract,we develop a theoretical framework to conceptually frame the nexus between education,civicness,resilient social contract,and sustainable peace.This framework is founded on the theory of state formation.Applying this framework to the case of South Sudan,we found that education through civicness makes students become key political stakeholders and more likely nurture a resilient social contract,which in turn sustains peace.The very low level of educated population in South Sudan might have contributed,among other factors,to limited demand for good governance that contributes to governance deficit,which perpetuates poor state-society relations,ineffective and exclusive institutions,and erosion of social cohesion,and interpersonal trust,factors central to resilient social contract.
文摘Background: Coronavirus disease 2019, otherwise known as COVID-19, emerged in December of 2019. COVID-19 spreads through an airborne transmission route. Preventive measures were described to help decrease the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. There were a number of preventive measures that were globally adopted: social distance of at least 1 meter, mask wearing, washing hands for 20 seconds, and covering the mouth and nose if the person sneezes or coughs. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among 362 students from the International University of Africa, Sudan, was carried out between August 2021 and September 2022. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 was used for data analysis;frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. A chi-square test was used for association analysis;a P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among study participants, the females were 70.9%;most were 20 - 23 years old (73.6%). 54.2% were vaccinated against COVID-19;83.6% had good knowledge regarding the mode of transmission, and 76.1% stayed in during quarantine. 80.6% of participants understood social distancing correctly. 76.1% of males and 45.1% of females started or completed vaccination (P ≤ 0.05). 51.4% of males and 81.3% of females adhered to preventive measures (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It is important to target health education campaigns and interventions to improve adherence to preventive measures among university students. Although the pandemic is coming to an end, a lesson should be learned from it, and future preparation should be employed.
文摘The paper gives an overview of language planning and policy( LPP) in Sudan. It mainly focuses on language problem in two different periods, namely, the colonial period and the post colonial one. The question of Arabicization of Education in Sudan is also discussed, followed by a critical conclusion.
