South Darfur State Research Articles

A study on the soil seed bank of Nyala area, south Darfur, Sudan

This research is an ecological study on the vegetation of Nyala area, South Darfur State, Sudan. The main objectives of this research is determination of soil seed bank of species in the study area. The collected plant species were identified checked via the aid of the herbarium of the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum. Twenty-seven plant species have been identified from the study of soil seed bank. The most dominant of these species were Euphorbia aegyptiaca, Dactyloctenium eagypticum, Eragrostis tenella, Corchorus trilocularis and Amaranthus graecizans. The number of dead seeds/m2 on the upper soil surface layer (0-5 cm) was 12150, while that of live seeds was 5560. The number of dead seeds/m2 for the lower soil depth (5-10 cm) was 9707 and that of live seeds was 3254 seeds/m2. Statistical analysis of the data of the soil seed bank showed that there were statistically significant differences between the number of dead and live seeds/m2 at the same soil depth and among different soil depths.

A Survey on Major Infertility Causes in Crossbred Dairy Cattle Farms in Nyala City - South Darfur State - Sudan

A Survey on Major Infertility Causes in Crossbred Dairy Cattle Farms in Nyala City - South Darfur State - Sudan

Unraveling Key Chloroquine Resistance-Associated Alleles Among Plasmodium falciparum Isolates in South Darfur State, Sudan Twelve Years After Drug Withdrawal.

Due to the increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine (CQ) in Sudan, a shift from CQ to artesunate combined with sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria was adopted in 2004. This study aimed to determine the frequency distribution of K76T and N86Y mutations in P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) genes as key markers of resistance to CQ among P. falciparum isolates from patients in Nyala district of South Darfur state, west of Sudan. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 P. falciparum isolates from Sudanese patients diagnosed with falciparum malaria mono-infection. Parasite DNA was extracted from dried blood spots and amplified using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to detect the genetic polymorphisms in codons 76 of pfcrt and 86 of pfmdr1. PCR-RFLP products were analyzed using 1.5% gel electrophoresis to identify the genetic polymorphisms in the studied codons. The wild-type (pfcrt K76 and pfmdr1 N86), mutant (pfcrt 76T and pfmdr1 86Y) and mixed-type (pfcrt K76T and pfmdr1 N86Y) alleles were expressed as frequencies and proportions. The wild-type pfcrt K76 allele was observed among 34.7% of isolates and the mutant 76T allele among 20% of isolates, while the mixed-type K76T allele was observed among 45.3% of isolates. On the other hand, 54.7% of isolates harbored the wild-type pfmdr1 N86 allele and 5.3% of isolates had the mutant 86Y allele, while the mixed-type N86Y allele was observed among 40% of isolates. The key molecular markers associated with CQ resistance (pfcrt 76T and pfmdr1 86Y) are still circulating in high frequency among P. falciparum isolates in South Darfur state, about twelve years after the official withdrawal of the drug as a treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

First report of dengue virus among febrile malaria positive and negative patients in Nyala city, Western Sudan

Background: The mosquito borne dengue fever and malaria -; are major public health concerns in tropical settings. They are highly prevalent and considered one of the main etiology of febrile illnesses in Sudan. Aim: This study aimed to determine seroprevalence of dengue virus among febrile malaria positive and negative patients in Nyala city, Western Sudan by using Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) to detect dengue virus IgM and IgG antibodies. It also aimed to study possible risk factors that may be associated with dengue virus and malaria infections. Methods: This cross sectional study, which was undertaken in different Hospitals in Nyala city, South Darfur state Sudan during June to December 2021. A total of 93 blood samples from febrile patients were collected in EDTA containers. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation and tested by ELISA (EUROIMMUN, Germany) according to manufactures instructions for dengue virus IgG and IgM antibodies. Malaria parasites were detected using microscopy of stained blood smears. Generated data was analyzed using the statistical package (SPSS) version 21. Results: Forty six (49.5%) out of 93 febrile patients were found infected with malaria parasites using blood smear microscopy. Among these malaria infected patients, the prevalence of dengue anti-virus IgG (49 .5%) was higher than that of IgM (16.1%) but was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). In the present study dengue infection was higher in males than in females but was statistically insignificant (P> 0.05) and the Age group 21-40 years was the most affected with dengue virus infection. Conclusion: The present study showed higher prevalance rate of dengue IgG among the participants of study more than IgM but was statistically insignificant There was no association between age and gender with seroplevance of dengue virus among febrile patients with and without malaria. The frequent existence of infections of DENV requires improved surveillance and control measures to combat this disease in Nyala, Sudan.

The role of Zakat Chamber in Reducing Poverty in Sudan within the period 2018- 2020 - A case Study of South Dar fur State

هدفت الدراسة إلى قياس دور ديوان الزكاة في التقليل من حدة الفقر في ولاية جنوب دارفور خلال الفترة (2018- 2020م)، وبيان أثر المشروعات الممنوحة للفقراء على دخولهم ومستوى معيشتهم. اتبعت الدراسة المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، واعتمدت على المصادر الأولية مستخدمة الاستبيان كأداة رئيسة لجمع بيانات مجتمع الدارسة الذي شمل الفقراء الذين حصلوا على مشروعات إنتاجية خلال فترة الدارسة. تم اختيار عينة عشوائية بسيطة بلغت (337) مفردة. لتحليل البيانات استخدمت الدراسة برنامج الحزم الإحصائية للعلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS). خلصت الدارسة إلي أن لديوان الزكاة دور كبير في التخفيف من حدة الفقر في الولاية، وذلك نظراً للانتشار الواسع له في تمليك وسائل الإنتاج للمستحقين. أكد تحليل اختبار مربع كاي عند مستوي دلالة 0.05 وجود علاقة إيجابية ذات دلالة إحصائية بين مشروعات ديوان الزكاة وزيادة دخل الفرد وتحسين مستوي المعيشة وانخفاض معدل البطالة في ولاية جنوب دارفور. أوصت الدارسة بإيلاء عنصر التدريب أهمية، وخاصة المستفيدين الذين تم تمليكهم المشروعات الإنتاجية في كيفية إدارتها.

A Case Report on Cyanidation of Gold Heap Tailings at Agbash Mine in South Darfur State (Sudan)

A Case Report on Cyanidation of Gold Heap Tailings at Agbash Mine in South Darfur State (Sudan)

Ethnobotanical Study on Some Tree Species Used as Bioenergy in South Darfur State, Sudan

This study provides ethnobotanical information on preferred local energy tree species based on biomass characteristics. The survey used a stratified sampling technique. The questionnaire covered different issues related to the consumers and biomass characteristics for energy utilization. The study computed use value, fidelity level, and factor informant consensus for the most frequently used energy tree species. According to the highest use values, respondents in the study area identified Acacia mellifera and Capparis decidua as the most vital energy tree species. Sustained combustion is the most desired property for brickmaking, while bakeries and homes prefer haste ignition. Further research and laboratory testing of tree characteristics of selected species in energy plantations and agroforestry programmes in Sudan could help confirm the study results.

Influence of rainwater harvesting practices on the sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) grain yields in the sub-tropical deserts of Sudan ​

Food security is climate dependent in the Darfur region, Sudan; ultimately, the extreme drought events have derailed the region into “the world’s first climate change conflict”. Most of the ongoing climate resilience efforts in the region depend on rainwater harvesting (RWH) practices. The objective of this study is to be better understanding of the variability in the performance of the adopted RWH practices in the Darfur region. Datasets of 148 farmers were collected during the year 2022 through a structured questionnaire in the South Darfur state and analyzed based on two different modeling frameworks in the R package: the deep machine learning (the Bagging algorithms) and the logit models. The dependent variable is the rainfed sorghum grain yield, and the independent variables were RWH practices, education level, family size, and distance to the farm. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) explained that every two years the region is experiencing a drought event (1980-2015), with an annual rainfall of 396 mm ± 100 mm. About 82% of farmers mainly adopted RWH for food security in face of the decreased rainfall. The adopted RWH practices (mainly terracing) have increased sorghum grain yields by 72% - 147%. The best grain yield is associated with spate irrigation, and the poorest with illiteracy. The large family size ( greater than 9 people) and good education level offset the negative impacts of both illiteracy and the longer distance to the farm. The terracing and terracing + mulching + deep tillage (as a single package) practices were the most laborious and unsustainable practices in the Darfur region, and are not recommended, especially when the farm distance is greater than 5 km

Dynamics of Identity Construction among the Ethnic Communities in Darfur: A Conflict-based Perspective

This paper investigates dynamics adopted by nine ethnolinguistic communities affected by the current conflict in South Darfur State to construct their ethnic identities. Qualitative data were obtained via focus group discussions, interviews, posters from the landscape, and observation over a period spanning from 2012 to 2013. The findings show that, firstly, there were unprecedented micro-interethnic identity construction dynamics across the study area. Secondly, within these interethnic identities, there were also emerging intra-ethnic identities – all spurred by the wholesale community ethnicisation processes. Thirdly, revitalization of ethnolinguistic identity was found to be the major tool employed by the communities under study, with varying degrees, to establish their distinct identities. Fourthly, ethnolinguistic identities constructed varied from one group to another, ranging from ‘strong’ to ‘moderate’ and ‘weak’, depending on the community’s ethnolinguistic vitality. The paper concluded that the major factor in the emergence of these micro inter- or intra-ethnic identities was the current conflict in Darfur.

Reduced Albendazole Efficacy in Goats Naturally Infected with Strongyle Nematodes in Dagrase Area, South Darfur State, Sudan

Reduced Albendazole Efficacy in Goats Naturally Infected with Strongyle Nematodes in Dagrase Area, South Darfur State, Sudan

Prevalence of Internal Parasites Associated with Dairy Cattle in Nyala City, South Darfur State, Sudan

Prevalence of Internal Parasites Associated with Dairy Cattle in Nyala City, South Darfur State, Sudan

Sero-epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease in Darfur area, Western Sudan.

A total of 367 bovine sera positive to antibodies against non-structural proteins (NSPs) of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus were screened for serotype O, A and SAT2 antibodies using the virus neutralization test (VNT). Sera had been collected in 2016 from North (228) and South (139) Darfur States in Western Sudan, where high and low circulation of FMD virus, respectively, prevailed. Tested sera represented the positive-NSPs portion in a random sample of 669 sera collected from both States. According to standard statistical methods, calculations for serial testing (NSPs ELISA and VNT) were applied to estimate prevalence rates of serotype-specific antibodies in the two States. In each State, approximately 20% of NSPs positive sera failed typing. Prevalence's detected were 49% ± 5% (O), 27% ± 5% (A) and 14% ± 4% (SAT2) in North Darfur State and 27% ± 5% (O), 17% ± 4% (A) and 8.0% ± 3% (SAT2) in South Darfur State. In both States, prevalence rates were significantly higher for serotype O, followed by A then SAT2; the same order that was known in most parts of Sudan. Consistently, estimated prevalence's were statistically significantly higher (P < 0.05) in North Darfur than in South Darfur State. Apart from serotype SAT2, detected prevalence rates were lower or similar to those inside the country in previous occasions. Frequency and pattern of distribution of serotype O prevalence were consistent with its suggested pattern of circulation from the Nile valley to other parts in Sudan and significant within the country's circulation. Alternatively, serotype SAT2 prevalence and distribution in Darfur area were suggestive of sporadic occurrence. However, slightly higher prevalence rates of SAT2 antibodies in Darfur than in neighbouring Kordofan areas in 2013 reflected the wide dissemination of SAT2 ( http://www.wrlfmd.org ) in Sudan in early 2014. Risk of FMD in Darfur seemed to be associated with the movement of animals to the North in the wet season as part of the pastoral system, and with movement related to trade into urban centers more than with pastoralism across the Western borders. Generally, the result presented little evidence to suggest presence of FMD primary endemic foci in Darfur area.

Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among selected people in Tulus area, South Darfur State, Sudan

Background: Urinary schistosomiasis is a major public health issue in Sudan. The disease is endemic in many rural communities across the country.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among selected individual in the city of Tulus, South Darfur state, Sudan. One hundred terminal urine samples were collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using standard filtration technique.Results: A total of 100 individual were enrolled in the study with a mean (±SD) age of 17.7±0.73 years. Out of them, 62 (62%) were found to be infected with Schistosoma haematobium. The statistical analysis showed significant association with gender (p=0.043) with higher prevalence 70.9 % (39/55) in female than males 51.1 % (23/45). Majority of the S. haematobium infections were classified as intense infection (82%, 51/62) with egg count ≥50 eggs/10 ml urine, while gross haematuria was observed in 10% of urine samples.Conclusions: In conclusion, the prevalence of S. haematobium infection in the study participants was remarkably high. However, further studies, including large sample size will be essential to assess the burden of the disease in the study area.

Effects of Rainwater Harvesting Techniques on Establishment and Survival of Acacia senegal (L.) Transplants on Dry Lands in South Darfur State, Sudan

&#x0D; The study was conducted in South Darfur State in Nyala Agricultural Research Station Farm which is located at latitude 12° 01ʹ N and longitude 24° 50ʹ E and at an altitude of 400 m a.s.l, during two seasons 2018 and 2019. The study aimed to test and assess the effects of rainwater harvesting techniques (RWHTs) on establishment, growth and survival rate of Acacia senegal transplants on dry land, to assess its influence on soil moisture content. Four RWHTs were tested namely; control, semicircular bund, trapezoidal bund and V-shape catchment. The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with six replications. The soil moisture content (gravimetric) at depths of 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm during the (summer, autumn and winter) were measured .Tree state as survival rate, growth parameters of shoot height, stem diameter, number of branches, root length, shoot and root biomass were measured. The results showed that the RWHTs recharged considerably the soil moisture content in all the depths in autumn, including the control. The transplants' survival rates were better in the RWHTs than in the control and in summer 2019 the survival percentages in these treatments ranged from 67 % to 75 % against 50 % only for the control. The trapezoidal bund showed the most resistant against the transplants' death rate. Significant differences were found in the A. senegal transplants growth parameters between the control and the RWHTs. The overall growth performance within the RWHTs was as follows, trapezoidal bund &gt; semicircular bund = V-shape catchment &gt; control. It is thus evident that RWHTs can be used to support establishment of transplants in the moistures content deficient areas of dry lands. The study concluded that RWHTs can be applied using manual labor and locally available materials. Further research should focus on RWHTs as worthy option for tree plantation in dry land.&#x0D;

Prevalence and Pathology of Caprine Coccidiosis in South Darfur State, Sudan

Prevalence and Pathology of Caprine Coccidiosis in South Darfur State, Sudan

Susceptible trichostrongyloid species mask presence of benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus in cattle

BackgroundBenzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics are widely used to control infections with parasitic nematodes, but BZ resistance is an emerging threat among several nematode species infecting humans and animals. In Sudan, BZ-resistant Haemonchus contortus populations were recently reported in goats in South Darfur State. The objective of this study was to collect data regarding the situation of BZ resistance in cattle parasitic nematodes in South Darfur using phenotypic and molecular approaches, besides providing some epidemiological data on nematodes in cattle.MethodsThe faecal egg count reduction test and the egg hatch test (EHT) were used to evaluate benzimidazole efficacy in cattle nematodes in five South Darfur study areas: Beleil, Kass, Nyala, Rehed Al-Birdi and Tulus. Genomic DNA was extracted from pools of third-stage larvae (L3) (n = 40) during trials, before and after treatment, and pools of adult male Haemonchus spp. (n = 18) from abattoirs. The polymorphisms F167Y, E198A and F200Y in isotype 1 β-tubulin genes of H. contortus and H. placei were analysed using Sanger and pyrosequencing.ResultsPrevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in cattle was 71% (313/443). Reduced albendazole faecal egg count reduction efficacy was detected in three study areas: Nyala (93.7%), Rehed Al-Birdi (89.7%) and Tulus (88.2%). In the EHT, EC50 values of these study areas ranged between 0.032 and 0.037 µg/ml thiabendazole. Genus-specific PCRs detected the genera Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Cooperia in L3 samples collected after albendazole treatment. Sanger sequencing followed by pyrosequencing assays did not detect elevated frequencies of known BZ resistance-associated alleles in codon F167Y, E198A and F200Y in isotype 1 β-tubulin gene of H. placei (≤ 11.38%). However, polymorphisms were detected in H. contortus and in samples with mixed infections with H. contortus and H. placei at codon 198, including E198L (16/58), E198V (2/58) and potentially E198Stop (1/58). All pooled L3 samples post-albendazole treatment (n = 13) were identified as H. contortus with an E198L substitution at codon 198.ConclusionsTo the knowledge of the authors, this is the first report of reduced albendazole efficacy in cattle in Sudan and is the first study describing an E198L substitution in phenotypically BZ-resistant nematodes collected from cattle.Graphical

Effect of Some Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes Infection on Hematocrit Values in Goat, Sheep, Horse, Donkey and Cattle at Nyala City, South Darfur State, Sudan

Effect of Some Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes Infection on Hematocrit Values in Goat, Sheep, Horse, Donkey and Cattle at Nyala City, South Darfur State, Sudan

Internally Displaced Persons in South Darfur State, Sudan: A Capability Approach

Conflict in Sudan's Darfur Region led to a population influx to cities. Using the capability approach, this article examines the impact of displacement on capabilities of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Primary and secondary sources were accessed to collect data for the study. The article explores the perspectives of different stakeholders regarding resettlement of IDPs. In-depth interviews were conducted with IDPs and the representatives of both government and international organisations. While the research shows capability deprivations faced by IDPs, the study suggests that the solution to the predicament of IDPs depends on the participation of all stakeholders.

Investigation of diphtheria outbreak in Al-Sunta locality in South Darfur State - Sudan, 2019/2020: a teaching case-study

Investigation of diphtheria outbreak in Al-Sunta locality in South Darfur State - Sudan, 2019/2020: a teaching case-study

Difficulties facing the integration of people with motor disabilities in formal education at the basic stage - South Darfur (2018 – 2019): الصعوبات التي تواجه دمج ذوي الإعاقة الحركية في التعليم النظامي بمرحلة الأساس بولاية جنوب دارفور (2018- 2019)

The aim of this study was to identify the difficulties facing the integration of motor disabilities in formal education at the basic stage in the state of South Darfur from the point of view of principals and teachers in the state of South Darfur. For the purposes of this study, the researchers followed the analytical descriptive approach, in addition to the case study methodology. In order to collect the information and data, the researchers relied on the observation tool in addition to the questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 29 principals and teachers of basic schools in South Darfur state. The data were analyzed statistically by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study came out with a number of results: The physically disabled are living a big problem because of the lack of the tools, equipment and auxiliary devices they need in school Movement disabled people believe that there is a very big problem because of the lack of appropriate school examinations to suit their abilities in terms of time, quantity and content. Persons with motor disabilities notice the deficiencies of the school in providing quality supervisory meetings for the physically disabled The study recommended that: Raising the awareness of the community to show the advantages of integrating pupils with motor disabilities in the public schools in Nyala Central. Encourage increased opportunities for social interaction between students and disabled students. To apply the idea of ​​progressive integration of the disabled in the regular schools.