Khartoum Research Articles

Exploring research opportunities and challenges facing dental students in Khartoum state

Context: Research is an essential component of many predoctoral medical and dental education programs focused on training students as clinicians, educators, and researchers in evidence-based practices. Despite the importance of clinical research, a variety of factors discourage young candidates from entering clinical research careers. As the rate of conduction of clinical researches in the dental field is increasing nowadays, it is important to define the impediments that face undergraduate and postgraduate dental students and hence formulate solutions. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the research opportunities and challenges facing undergraduate and postgraduate dental students among different universities in Khartoum state. Settings and Design: Four hundred and twenty-six questionnaires were distributed in this descriptive cross-sectional study, among both undergraduate and postgraduate dental students in five universities in the Khartoum state. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was modified from the dental students' research inventory questionnaire which was well validated. Statistical Analysis Used: The analysis was done using SPSS Version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Most of the participants included in this study were undergraduates (89%). The study showed that only 4.4% were found to face high challenges concerning data analysis, 46.7% have had a high challenge in writing a report and publishing their research data, and 60.4% encountered curriculum problems while conducting their research. Generally, most of the participants were unsatisfied about the different facilities and opportunities that were available to them. In addition, 84.8% of them were moderately satisfied from the knowledge and skills they gained from their research experience. Conclusion: Dental students among different universities in Khartoum state are facing challenges in several aspects while conducting a research project. Research committees should develop and enhance the needed facilities that would encourage young candidates to conduct research.

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus among tuberculosis patients in Khartoum state

Introduction: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been closely connected since the appearance of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infection among active TB cases provides real challenges in diagnosis and treatment of TB. This is descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Abu-anja Teaching Hospital; Khartoum state in period from October 2018to March 2019.The objective was to determine the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection among tuberculosis patients. Method: A total of 90 venous blood samples were collected from the study participants, serum was obtained by centrifugation at (3000 rpm) for 5 minutes. The levels of HIV antibody titer were determined by using sandwich ELISA Assay. Results: The studies revealed that out of the 90 participants of the tuberculosis patients, 5(5.6%) were HIV positive, and the HIV prevalence among male patients were significantly higher than female patients. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is high prevalence of HIV among tuberculosis patients in Khartoum state, capital of Sudan (5.6%) comparing with (5%) at which the WHO recommended intensified intervention to address TB-HIV co-infection critical in any strategy that aims to reach those most in need.

Efficiency of gamma radiation technology in decontamination of wastewater from Soba Station-Khartoum Sudan

In Sudan the expense of municipality treatment is expanding with more strict environmental obligations. Radiation technology for handling of industrial and domestic water supply is presently under study in many countries. The expenses for the wastewater treatment by radiation technology are comparable with that of the other modern technology of treatment systems. This study focuses on using of various radiation doses to handle samples of municipal wastewater collected from Soba wastewater station south of Khartoum-Sudan. The experimental results confirmed that some physicochemical parameters like pH, DO, BOD5, COD, TSS, FOG, and Total phenols were decreased with increasing absorbed doses. Other parameters like Electrical conductivity (EC) and Hardness were not affected by radiation doses. TDS, turbidity decreased up to 50 K rad and then increased with increased in radiation doses. All parameters are within the permissible level in Sudan for discharge to surface water. Gamma-irradiation has shown to be effective in removing organic contaminants from the sewage water and sludge. Gamma-irradiation opens door for possible reuse of irradiated sewage water and sludge. The whole experimental issues involving the management of disposed materials must be put in mind when we are assessing the benefits of applying technology of radiation for treating all municipality issues in Khartoum city.

Study of Drug Bottles Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

There is a great number of packaging materials, such as bottles and boxes, are made of plastics (polymers). Additives such as plasticizers, antioxidants, antistatic agents, and lubricants may be used for the production of packaging materials. The worst effect of plastic production is deterioration of the environment. Recycling solves this problem and the initial step is identification and classification of the polymers and determination of different elements present in it. In this research, spectroscopic analyzes were performed using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for plastic materials samples of drug containers that collected from manufacturing factories located at Khartoum city, Sudan. The samples were collected before and after used, were irradiated by Nd: YAG laser at 266 nm, repetition rate 2Hz, with pulse energy of 80mJ. The recorded spectra of the samples were analyzed using National Institute Standard and Technology (NIST). and Origin Lab Pro 9 data analysis software. All elements present in plastic drug bottles were detected using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. The elements that detected are (Ca, Cd , Ra, Ac, W, V, Na, Pm, Cl, K, , Ce, Ar, Nd, Ac, Tc, Sc, Li, Pa, and Pb).

Development of Sudanese Cities Architecturally as a First Stage - Case Study Khartoum City

One of the main problems in the social development of most third world countries is Africa, Asia and Latin America: economic underdevelopment, poverty, environmental pollution and high density all lead to an increase in informal housing, which is created as a result of the occupation of the land with no services necessary for life. This has led to an increase in crime, poverty, epidemics and infectious diseases affecting nearby settlements in the city. In 1970-1980 in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, infectious diseases such as cholera and Typhoid appeared, some citizens became building their homes in the sewers, which led to the death of many and caused the risk of flooding, as happened in 1988-1996. This occurring occurs in the absence of scientific planning for the development and development of the city and has a great impact on the development of the largest cities of Sudan and its capital Khartoum. The importance of research comes when looking at the centers of the old Sudanese cities, which surrounds the random housing and single-storey buildings that are free of intensive sanitation, as these buildings do not live up to the required level where the narrow streets and high population density and lack of a forestation and greenery and service facilities, so it is necessary to reduce this type of housing and this requires scientific stitching and planning of human settlements in the form of full-service housing groups and reconstruction. To solve this problem, sufficient scientific studies must be conducted that will lead to the work of an integrated program of planning and solutions that conform to the available possibilities and exploit local materials and develop them on scientific bases to perform the desired purpose. The results of the study proved that the architectural expansion of the architectural expansion, which consisted of the design of five-storey architectural apartments, has a significant impact on reducing random housing and the best use of land. It was found that multi-storey buildings with five floors are considered to be the economic and security situation, as the study found that 25.4% of the land was used and therefore provide 74.6% of land use.

Benchmarking Case Study, Applying Sustainable -Eco - Building Assessment Method (SEBAM) in Greater Khartoum, Comparing with Global Systems

This sample was taken as benchmarking in (Abdelmoneim, H., 2019) which has got the higher points comparing with all the other samples studied in this research, is chosen for global assessment approach an excellent solution for the sustainable-eco-building assessment method (SEBAM). 
 
 This study aims is to present and analyses a benchmarking case study for sustainable eco-buildings in Greater Khartoum is the capital of Sudan, one of The greatest countries in north Africa. 
 
 The methodology is applying global assessment method to this case study, which is LEED, BREEAM, AGBC, ESTIDAMA and GSAS then compare the result with the local system came up of (Abdelmoneim, H., 2019), sustainable eco-building assessment method to evaluate residential buildings (SEBAM) to justify the results. The comparison is done in this research in the main categories and results. The outcomes show differences rather than similarities this will be discussed in the paper and come up by conclusion and recommendations.

The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on The Gene Mutation of Factor V Leiden among Sudanese Women

Oral contraceptive pills are problems for women, often have many effects, and may cause several diseases. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of oral contraceptive pills on factor V sufferers. This case-control study conducted in Khartoum Sudan during the period from April to November 2018. The study included 50 women who used oral contraceptive as a case and 50 women who did not use oral contraceptive pills as a control, all of whom were verbally informed of the study and approved for participation. The PCR do for each sample. The results obtained from cases show that the mean age is 30±5.5 and divided into three groups less than 20 with a lower frequency of 4 % (2/50), (20-35) with a higher incidence of 80 % (40/50) and a higher rate of 16 % (8/50) for more than 35 years. Most cases use the oral contraceptive pill for more than one year at a frequency of 60% (30/50) with a mean of 2±0.8. The most frequent oral contraceptive pill use was levonorgestrel 88% (44/50), followed by desogestrel 12% (6/50). The study concludes that there is no significant difference in gene mutation between case and control. There was also an insignificant association between the mutation and demographic data.

From Khartoum to Jerusalem: The Dragoman Solomon Negima and His Clients (1885–1933), by Rachel Mairs. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016. xii + 261 pp., 49 figs. Hardback $112.

<i>From Khartoum to Jerusalem: The Dragoman Solomon Negima and His Clients (1885–1933)</i>, by Rachel Mairs. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016. xii + 261 pp., 49 figs. Hardback $112.

The Effect of Cajanus Cajan Seeds Extraction on Some Haematological Parameters Among Haemorrhagical Anaemic Rats in Khartoum–Sudan

Worldwide different plants were studied for their role in the treatment and correction of different types of anaemia’s. The Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute (MAPRI) of the National Centre for Research (NCR) plays major role in medicinal and aromatic plants investigation, determination of therapeutic properties and documented in Sudan.

The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on The Gene Mutation of Factor V Leiden among Sudanese Women

Oral contraceptive pills are problems for women, often have many effects, and may cause several diseases. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of oral contraceptive pills on factor V sufferers. This case-control study conducted in Khartoum Sudan during the period from April to November 2018. The study included 50 women who used oral contraceptive as a case and 50 women who did not use oral contraceptive pills as a control, all of whom were verbally informed of the study and approved for participation. The PCR do for each sample. The results obtained from cases show that the mean age is 30±5.5 and divided into three groups less than 20 with a lower frequency of 4 % (2/50), (20-35) with a higher incidence of 80 % (40/50) and a higher rate of 16 % (8/50) for more than 35 years. Most cases use the oral contraceptive pill for more than one year at a frequency of 60% (30/50) with a mean of 2±0.8. The most frequent oral contraceptive pill use was levonorgestrel 88% (44/50), followed by desogestrel 12% (6/50). The study concludes that there is no significant difference in gene mutation between case and control. There was also an insignificant association between the mutation and demographic data.

Is the amniotic fluid really sterile? A study of Microbial Invasion of the Amniotic Cavity (MIAC) in a tertiary center, Khartoum, Sudan

Microbial Invasion of the Amniotic Cavity (MIAC) is a term used to describe positive amniotic fluid culture for bacteria or genital mycoplasmas. MIAC can affect both mother and fetus. It is a common cause of preterm labour with intact membranes and prelabour rupture of membranes. It is also associated with cervical insufficiency, an asymptomatic short cervix, idiopathic vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, and clinical chorioamnionitis at term. It is also related to neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and cerebral palsy. the objective of this study is to determine the etiology of Intraamniotic Infections among women delivered in Soba University Hospital, Khartoum Sudan in February- March 2016. In this cross sectional study, 246 deliveries were included samples of the amniotic fluid were taken after delivery. MIAC is detected 31.3% of the women under study. Staphylococcus aureus constitutes the major isolates (62.1%) followed by E. coli and Klebsiella spp. None of the isolates were Streptococcus agalactiae. There is a statistically significant association between MIAC and maternal infection during the third trimester, mode of delivery and birth asphyxia but not neonatal sepsis.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Vitamin D deficiency among community pharmacists and prescribing doctors in Khartoum city, Sudan, 2020

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins responsible for intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has reached an epidemic in both developed and developing countries. Literature review showed that population knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning Vitamin D were poor. Prescribing doctors and pharmacist are an important source of health information. Hence, their knowledge and practices about Vitamin D is essential for their roles and needs to be highlighted. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Vitamin D among community pharmacists and prescribing doctors in Khartoum City, Sudan, 2020. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out from February to April 2020 among 94 community pharmacists and 106 prescribing doctors using a validated electronic delivery self-administered questionnaire in Khartoum locality. Results: About 32.7% and 41.9% from prescribing doctors and pharmacists had poor general knowledge, respectively, regarding VDD, while the significant trend was found regarding the level of knowledge and year of experience (P = 0.022) of all health professionals (pharmacists and doctors). About 39.3% and 44.1% from prescribing doctors and pharmacists, respectively, had poor nutrition knowledge score toward Vitamin D with a significant trend regarding nutrition knowledge score and different gender groups (P = 0.02) of all health professionals in the study. About 49.5% and 47.5% from prescribing doctors and pharmacists, respectively, had poor attitude scores toward Vitamin D with a significant trend regarding nutrition knowledge score and attitude score (P = 0.037) of all health professionals. Conclusion and Recommendations: This survey identified a gap in the general knowledge, nutritional knowledge, and attitude among health-care professionals (prescribing doctors and pharmacists).

The Patterns of Clinical Presentation of Multiple Sclerosis in Patients Admitted to the National Center of Neurological Sciences, Khartoum, Sudan 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune- mediated inflammatory disease that attacks myelinated axons in the central nervous system leading to significant disability. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the national center for neurological sciences (NCNS), Khartoum Sudan, over 3 years period from August 2015 to April 2018. The diagnosis was performed based on Poser & Mackdonalds criteria. Data was collected using Questionnaire. The diagnosis was confirmed by brain and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with sagittal FLAIR, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal band. Sixty-five patients were enrolled. The majority (90.8%) of them were females. 38.4% were within the age group from 21-30 years and 95.4% had no family history of MS. 18 patients (27.6%) had decreased visual acuity, 13 patients (20%) had ataxia, and 33 patients (50.7%) had a past history of similar condition. 64.6% out of 65 patients had more than two lesions detectable in their brain MRI. Only 18.4% of the patients were examined for CSF analysis. Oligoclonal band was found positive in all of them. Females predominated in 91% of the patients. The most affected age group was ranging between 21-30 years. Relapsing-remitting type was the most common disease course. Oligoclonal band was detected in all of the patients. Azathioprine was found to be very effective.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of iodized salt use in Al-Riyadh and Al-Ozozab areas, Khartoum, Sudan.

Iodine deficiency and subsequent iodine deficiency disorders have been a longstanding problem in many areas of the world, including Sudan, and still remains as the leading cause of preventable brain damage. According to the Sudan Household Health Survey, in 2006, the consumption of iodized salt in Sudan was 11%, only to deteriorate later on in 2011 to 9.5%. This is a descriptive cross sectional study which assesses the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the use of iodized salt in two socioeconomically different residential areas, Al-Riyadh and Al-Ozozab, Khartoum city, Sudan. From total of 152 participants selected from Al-Riyadh and Al-Ozozab areas (50% from each), there were 87 (57 %) females. Participants from Al-Riyadh had a higher educational and income level than those from Al-Ozozab, and better knowledge regarding the importance of regular iodized salt consumption to treat iodine deficiency (61% and 54%, respectively). However, only 39% of the participants were actually buying iodized salt. There was a significant relationship between residency and buying of iodized salt among the participants from Al-Riyadh (49%) and Al-Ozozab (30%) areas (p-value = 0.02). There was also significant association between the educational level and buying iodized salt (p-value = 0.014), but not with the income (p-value = 0.23). The consumption of potential goitrogenic foods (pearl millet or peanut butter) was high among the participants (n = 142) from Al-Riyadh and Al-Ozozab, and constituted 76% and 83%, respectively. Compulsory national salt specification needs to be established in Sudan, together with monitoring the market availability of iodized salt.

Prevalence of Refractive Errors Among Primary School Children (6-15 Yrs) In Al-Khartoum- Sudan

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of refractive errors and visual impairment among primary school children in Khartoum city, Sudan. Methods: This is a cross sectional study. Children of the primary schools in Khartoum with age range of 6-15 years were included. School children were first screened at the school premises for refractive error and visual acuity. Children detected with defective vision were further evaluated employing subjective refraction with auto refractometer. Results: The study included 400 pupils. Prevalence of refractive errors was 108 (27%). Astigmatism was the commonest refractive errors encountered 56 (14%). Seven (1.75%) of the participants were visually impaired, with visual acuity less than 6/18 of the right eye. Our study showed that all types of the refractive errors were relatively more common among males than females. Majority of the participants with refractive errors were in the age group 9-11year old. Conclusions: Refractive errors are one of the most common prevalent ocular conditions among school children. Implementation of policies including periodical screening of preschool and school children for refractive errors; integration of child eye healthcare into school health programs and further studies of refractive errors among school children in different regions of Sudan are strongly recommended.

ICP/AAS ANALYSIS OF HAIR SAMPLES OF MINERS IN INDISCRIMINATE MINING AREA OF GOLD IN ABU HAMMED CITY, SUDAN

15Nov 2019 ICP/AAS ANALYSIS OF HAIR SAMPLES OF MINERS IN INDISCRIMINATE MINING AREA OF GOLD IN ABU HAMMED CITY, SUDAN M. Ismail , Elamin E.Elamin and A. S. Elhag Chemistry Department ,Faculty of Science ,University of Khartoum Sudan Atomic Energy Commission

DETERMINATION OF HG IN HAIR OF MINERS IN ABU HAMMED CITY (INDISCRIMINATE MINING AREA) USING DIRECT MERCURY ANALYZER, SUDAN

15Nov 2019 DETERMINATION OF HG IN HAIR OF MINERS IN ABU HAMMED CITY (INDISCRIMINATE MINING AREA) USING DIRECT MERCURY ANALYZER, SUDAN M. Ismail , A. S. Elhag and Elamin E.Elamin Chemistry Department ,Faculty of Science ,University of Khartoum Sudan Atomic Energy Commission

Imagining future agricultural landscapes in a new Sudan: Entitled expertise, cultural intransience and fine warm rain in the English wilds

ABSTRACT This article responds to work on development-centred technical and scientific expertise at the decline of the British empire in Africa. It focuses on the imagining of future agricultural landscapes in Sudan, exploring how such imagining was framed by the social and colonial worlds in which scientific knowledge about agricultural capacity in the north and south was produced. It draws on a private archive of letters, photographs and objects compiled by Roger Brain, an agricultural scientist engaged in research and census work for the University of Khartoum in Sudan between 1953 and 1959. His archive reveals the underlying assumptions, conventions and anxieties that framed the ways in which he viewed and understood the landscapes in which he worked. I argue that this framing shaped regionalized notions of inevitable technological transformation in the north, and notions of a fragile cultural distinctiveness coupled with a deep nostalgia for rural intransience in the south.

Gender Differences in Entrepreneurial Attitude &amp; Intentions among university Students

This empirical study aims at assessing the attitudes, perception and intention of university students towards entrepreneurship and new venture creation with a focus on gender differences in entrepreneurial perceptions and intentions to start new business in the future. Data were collected using a questionnaire-based survey of 350 students at the University of Khartoum in Sudan. The target population was the students in the final year in the University of Khartoum. The stratified sampling technique was used to select the sample size because the population consisted of a number of subgroups that differed in their characteristics. The results showed significant differences between genders in entrepreneurial intentions and its antecedents. Thus, it is important that customized approaches based on gender are needed for developing entrepreneurial intentions among college students.

Variability of lung function and respiratory muscles power in healthy and asthmatic subjects

Airway function is one of the many biologic functions that exhibit circadian variability over 24-h periods. Studies of circadian variability of lung function in normal subjects as well as asthmatics are particularly scarce, and those of MEP and MIP are unknown. The aim of this study to determine circadian variation in lung function (FVC, FEV1 and PEFR) and respiratory muscle pressures(MEP and MIP) for measurement of respiratory muscle power at 6:00am (early morning),12:00midday, 6:00pm( evening) and 12:00 midnight in healthy subjects and in patients with mild asthma at 6:00am and 6:00pm , to elaborate on the possibility of using MEP and MIP variability as a new diagnostic test for asthma. This is a cross sectional study performed in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan during December 2010. Thirty healthy, symptoms free non smokers normal subjects aged 20-64 years selected randomly and 15 mild asthmatics, clinically free during the time of study aged 19-49 years were included in the study. There is significant drop in healthy subjects early in the morning compared to 6:00pm, the drop in FVC was 9.75%, in FEV1 was 8.79%, in PEFR was 8.44%, in MEP was 10.04%, and in MIP was 17.57%. There is also significant drop in asthmatics early in the morning in MEP and MIP (21.76%, 27.57% respectively), is comparable to FEV1 (22.56%) and PEFR (23.86%). The sensitivity and specificity of variability for MEP (53%, 77%) and MIP (60%, 63%) comparable to sensitivity and specificity of FEV1 variability (40%, 86%) and PEFR variability (46%, 73%). The obtained comparable results of MEP, MIP variability to FEV1, PEFR variability in normal and asthmatic subjects could imply that MEP &amp; MIP can be used in assessing airway calibre as in asthma. The study concluded that MEP &amp; MIP variability could be sensitive tests to confirm asthma diagnosis.